Bertens leads Dutch campaign against Chinese debutants

Stakes are high as the Netherlands host China, P.R. during the Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas Play-offs this weekend.

Kiki Bertens is the biggest name attached to the tie, held on indoor clay at the Maaspoort Sports & Events Center in ’s-Hertogenbosch.

In order to secure a place at the 2022 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers, the home team has to end a five-tie losing streak. The visitors are using the exciting meeting to give a pair of young talents the opportunity to make their debut representing their country on the highest level in the sport.

The draw ceremony paired Dutch No. 1 Bertens with 19-year-old Wang Xinyu in the first match, followed by Arantxa Rus against 20-year-old Wang Xiyu.

Day two will kick off with a confrontation between Bertens and Wang Xiyu, followed by a potential fourth match featuring Rus against Wang Xinyu.

The doubles players nominated are Demi Schuurs/Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove for the home team and familiar faces Zhang Shuai/Zheng Saisai on the opposite side of the net.

Chinese surprise

Stand-in team captain Shuo Liu was not joking during the pre-draw press conference when he said the tie against the Netherlands presents a great chance for Xiyu and Xinyu Wang to get a taste of top level tennis on clay against top level opposition. It is no secret that Bertens, a former Roland Garros semi-finalist (2016) and Madrid Open winner (2019), thrives on the terre battue.

Paul Haarhuis, set to captain the Dutch team for the last time, expressed mixed feelings after the draw. “We are counting on that they picked their two best players at this moment in time to play.

“On the one hand I’m surprised, on the other hand I have seen the Chinese team practice this week and I heard the two young players like to play on clay. But it’s always surprising when the No. 1 and No. 2 players don’t compete in the singles matches.”

Bertens, on the comeback trail this year after achilles surgery last October, has never faced world No. 146 Wang Xinyu before. The current world No. 11 did defeat Wang Xiyu in Miami in 2019.

Records

Should Bertens notch two wins against China, P.R., she will improve her Billie Jean King Cup record in singles to 22-2 and equal Betty Stöve for most singles match wins by a Dutch player.

Confronted with the possibility of the achievement, Bertens was quick to point to “an even older” teammate. “We heard that Arantxa can take the record in number of years played in the Billie Jean King Cup (13). Great! We all want to break records and give Paul a nice farewell gift by winning.”

Meanwhile, world No. 83 Rus is no stranger to fellow-lefty Wang Xiyu. “I’ve played her three times recently. She is a big girl with great groundstrokes. At the same time, she is not the most constant player out there. She brings a mix of great points and unforced errors to the table.”

Learning from the best

Wang Xiyu, ranked No. 134, is relishing the chance to fight it out against great opponents on a clay court and hopes to take more out of the tie than just match wins.

“They are both great players. Bertens always plays with high intensity and has so much experience. I think I can learn a lot from playing her. Rus never stops fighting and her shots are really great. I enjoy playing her very much.

“For me it’s a very good challenge to play on clay. Also, it’s a great chance to learn more about tennis in general, because tennis is not only played on hardcourts,” said the talented youngster, before teenage teammate Wang Xinyu shared her thoughts on her tie-opening match against Bertens on the Dutchwoman’s favourite surface.

“She is a great player, so I’m happy to share the court with her. Because of my aggressive game style a lot depends on me, no matter who my opponent is. I wouldn’t say clay is the best surface for me, but we have played on it since we were juniors. I actually like clay more than I did before and I think I’m doing a better job on it now. I put more spin on my shots and adjust my game plan when I have to.”

Rebranding

On site in ’s-Hertogenbosch it’s hard not to notice the recent rebranding of the historic event into the Billie Jean King Cup. Bertens has “nothing but great feelings” about the change and the important message it carries out.

“The call and media attention for gender equality is a great thing. The changing of the name into Billie Jean King Cup is another wonderful sign. It’s beautiful what Billie Jean King has done for our sport and for women worldwide in general.”

As the Chinese team captain Liu aptly suggested — “the Billie Jean King Cup is just a great platform for our young players to develop. They have a bright future.”