Ukraine v Romania: Svitolina up second on opening day

Elina Svitolina will take on Jaqueline Cristian in the second singles match as Ukraine look to overcome Romania in the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers.

 

Ukraine, who despite hosting the tie are playing on neutral ground in Florida, USA, will be hoping to score a first win against Romania since 2003.

 

Both sides are bidding to advance to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for the first time and with Ukraine boasting five players inside the world’s Top 50, should Svitolina and co be able to clinch victory this weekend, they could well be a dark horse to do well later this year.

 

In the first match of the tie, Lesia Tsurenko will face Ana Bogdan. The Ukrainian has won both of her previous matches against Bogdan, including a victory at Wimbledon last year en route to the round of 16.

 

Svitolina, whose Foundation is responsible for putting on this tie, will need to stay focussed on the on-court action as she has never faced either of her singles opponents this weekend.

 

The reverse singles take place on Saturday followed by the doubles – in which the Kichenok sisters, Lyudmyla and Nadiia are due to play Mara Gae and Anca Alexia Todoni.