Europe/Africa I: Greece take one step closer to Play-offs
11/04/2024 18:46
Wins for Valentini Grammatikopoulou and Maria Sakkari were enough to ensure Greece are in control of their own fate as they look to reach the Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs for the first time
Greece, Latvia and Denmark are battling it out to finish in fourth place in Europe/Africa Group I, with the successful team booking a place in the 2024 BJK Cup Play-offs.
Greece took a giant step towards promotion when they defeated Latvia 3-0 at the Complexo de tenis do jamor in Oeiras. If they can defeat Denmark on Saturday, they will be assured of a place in November's Play-offs.
Grammatikopoulou got off to a flying start against Daniela Vismane, winning 6-0 7-5 in one hour and 19 minutes before team mate Sakkari followed suit with a victory over Darja Semenistaja by the exact same scoreline.
In the doubles match - which could prove crucial should it come down to match win-loss records - Martha Matoula and Despina Papamichail clinched a close-fought encounter with Adelina Lachinova and Jelena Ostapenko 6-4 3-6 [10-8].
Elsewhere in the regional Group I event, Portugal came back from 1-0 down to defeat Norway 2-1 and keep their hopes alive of staying at this level of the competition.
The Norwegians have to defeat Bulgaria 3-0 tomorrow if they are to have any hope of not being one of the two teams that are relegated to Europe/Africa Group II.
Europe/Africa Group II
Lithuania took a step closer to promotion after defeating Egypt 2-1 on Thursday. With Croatia set to play Egypt on Friday, a win for the Europeans will be enough to see the hosts into Group I for the first time since 2007.
Elsewhere in Group II there were wins for Israel against Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina against Kosovo and Morocco against Malta.
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