Wang levels for China after quick Bertens victory

The Netherlands and China, P.R. are tied at 1-1 after a couple of impressive performances by Kiki Bertens and Wang Xiyu in the Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas Play-off in ’s-Hertogenbosch.

A long awaited victory for Bertens gave the Netherlands the much desired 1-0 advantage. The Dutch No. 1 notched her first match win since Roland Garros last year by quickly moving past 19-year-old Billie Jean King Cup debutant and world No. 146 Wang Xinyu 6-2 6-0.

Bertens underwent (left) achilles surgery in October 2020 — soon after her fourth round exit in Paris — and didn’t return to the tour until March 2021. It’s fitting that after three consecutive losses on hardcourts (Doha, Dubai and Miami), the world No. 11 has found her feet in an entirely orange environment while representing her country on her favourite surface (indoor clay).

“I really needed this win. Practice has been good, but it’s worth very little when you don’t win matches. So I’m happy for myself as well as for the team,” Bertens declared afterwards.

Clay court relief

A double break of serve in both sets allowed Bertens to relax enough and employ her famous clay court guile against the powerful strokes of her inexperienced opponent. The 29-year-old was pleased to end her three-match losing streak in 2021 and the red dirt clearly played its part.

“I feel so much better on clay and it’s so much easier for me to move on this surface. It allows me to take pressure off my left leg as well, because I can slide into the backhand corner on my right leg and slice the ball. It makes life so much easier for me. I have a lot more time now.”

Bertens improved her already stunning Billie Jean King Cup singles record to 21-2. Another win this weekend and the former world No. 4 will equal Betty Stöve’s record for most Billie Jean King Cup singles matches won by a Dutch player.

Wang Xinyu admitted to feeling nervous in her first ever Billie Jean King Cup showing and was impressed by her esteemed opponent’s quality play.

“I started a bit slow and was tight later on, since it was my first time playing a match like this. She is a top player with a lot of experience and she played great on the big points. On clay the rallies get longer and she has great defense and turns defense into offense very well.”

Dazzling debut

World No. 83 Arantxa Rus had the opportunity to bring the Netherlands another step closer to the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers when she faced fellow lefty Wang Xiyu in the second match on Friday, but the 20-year-old from the visiting team had other plans.

The Chinese youngster — like Wang Xinyu a Billie Jean King Cup debutant — overpowered her 30-year-old opponent in the first set, breaking serve twice to win it 6-1. The World No. 134 showed no signs of hesitation or inexperience against Rus, who has now represented the Netherlands in the Billie Jean King Cup in 13 separate seasons — a Dutch record.

Helped by a series of unforced errors from her opponent, Rus was able to break serve early in the second set and shift momentum to her advantage for a 3-0 and 5-2 lead. The Dutch No. 2, playing better and better at this point, eventually served out the set with an ace: 6-3.

After losing her opening service game of the decider, Wang Xiyu managed to clean up her game. She regained the upper hand and reeled off four games in a row for a 4-1 lead as Rus lost her grip on proceedings in the nicely decorated — but fan-less — Maaspoort Sports & Events venue.

Down 5-2 in the third set, Rus served to stay in the match but Wang Xiyu proved too strong and clinched a memorable win on her Billie Jean King Cup debut.

“It’s a shame I wasn’t able to do better in the third set, but I have to stay positive for tomorrow,” Rus shared at the end of play. “It was close, but she played more aggressively on the big points and it paid off. That’s tennis.”

After receiving treatment for cramps, Wang Xiyu appeared for her press conference, where she denied injury worries. “I feel much better after recovery, it’s okay. I think I played very well today. She is a great player and I did very well in all the details and was able to focus on every point.”

Satisfied team captains

Departing Dutch team captain Paul Haarhuis was pleased with what he saw on both sides.

“Kiki’s match was very convincing and Arantxa fought a tough battle. All in all we were closer to being up 2-0 than being down 0-2. I was very impressed by both Chinese players. I would love to have a couple of Dutch 20-year-olds of that caliber. I expect fireworks in both matches tomorrow.”

Whether the same Chinese players will return on Saturday or the experience of Zhang Shuai and Zheng Saisai will be called upon, is a topic of debate within the Dutch team.

“It’s pure speculation. In case they replace Wang Xinyu, I wouldn’t see that as a big disadvantage for us, because the other player will have to come in cold for a high stakes match, while Arantxa has a fine battle under her belt already,” Haarhuis suggested while previewing day 2 of the tie.

His Chinese counterpart confirmed his team is having a wonderful time in the Netherlands, but means business. “We didn’t come here for fun. The Dutch tennis federation has treated us incredibly well and we appreciate it very much, but our only goal is to win. We were aiming for 2-0, but 1-1 is not a problem. We have a fresh start tomorrow and I’m satisfied with my players.”

As has often been the case in the Billie Jean King Cup, it’s up to Bertens to get the Netherlands back in front again in the third match. If the team selections remain the same, she will take on Wang Xiyu and Rus will get another chance at victory against Wang Xinyu in the fourth match.