Brazil, Romania make dominant starts in 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs
10/11/2023 21:32
The lions share of attention may be on the Billie Jean King Cup Finals this weekend, but four of the eight Play-off ties taking place this weekend got underway on Friday as nations begin their bid for a place at the 2024 Finals
By Kevin Palmer
The Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Play-offs are underway, with some closely contested matches taking place across the globe.
The Play-offs consist of eight ties played on a home-and-away basis, all of which will be played as best-of-five matches (with four singles followed by doubles).
The successful nations will compete in the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers in 2024, with a chance to qualify for next year's Finals.
Four of the Play-offs got underway on Friday and will conclude on Saturday, with the remaining ties starting on Saturday and reaching a climax on Sunday.
TIGHT BATTLE IN TOKYO: Japan 1-1 Brazil
The Play-offs kicked off in Tokyo, as Japan welcomed Colombia for a tie played at the Ariake Colosseum.
Colombia's Camila Osorio got the ball rolling for the visitors as she won a competitive contest against Mai Hontama 6-4 6-4.
The final scoreline doesn't tell the full story from a match that could have swung either way, with Hontama winning six of the 12 break points she had and Osorio winning eight of her 15 break points.
This tie is level heading into the second day after Nao Hibino beat Yuliana Lizarazo 6-2 6-4 ahead of what will be a thrilling deciding day on Saturday.
ROMANIA IN CONTROL: Romania 2-0 Serbia
Romania head into Day 2 in a strong position after winning both singles matches against Serbia in Kraljevo.
World No. 37 Elena-Gabriela Ruse backed up her lofty ranking by beating world No. 353 Mia Ristic in the opening match, sealing a 7-6(2) 6-3 win after Ristic failed to make the most of her break point chances in the match.
That win for the visitors was backed up by an impressive performance from Jaqueline Cristian, who beat the experienced Serbian opponent Aleksandra Krunic 7-5 6-4.
BRAZIL ON TOP: Brazil 2-0 Korea, Rep.
In Brasilia, the home side took control of their tie against Korea, Rep. on a dominant opening day for a strong Brazil side.
Laura Pigossi ended a three-match losing run in Billie Jean King Cup singles matches with a powerful display to beat Sohyun Park 6-1 6-1 in one hour and 13 minutes.
The stage was then set for world No. 11 Beatriz Haddad Maia to take to the court in front of her adoring home fans and she duly delivered with a 6-0 6-4 victory against world No. 490 Yeonwoo Ku.
Haddad Maia is back in Brazil after winning the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai last month, the biggest title of her career so far.
ALL TO PLAY FOR IN SLOVAKIA: Slovakia 1-1 Argentina
A tense first day in Bratislava saw hosts Slovakia fight back after losing the opening match, with the tie level at 1-1 heading into Saturday.
World No. 158 Julia Riera beat an opponent ranked 87 places higher than her in the WTA rankings as she won 7-5 7-5 against Anna Schmiedlova to give Argentina an early lead.
The visitors then threatened to take control of the tie as Nadia Podoroska took the opening set against Viktoria Hruncakov, but the home fans were relieved as the Slovakian No.2 battled back to seal a 3-6 6-3 6-3 win and leave the tie evenly balanced.
