Kazakhstan display title credentials in beating Brits

They might not be everyone's pick for the title in Glasgow, but Kazakhstan’s opening day performance at the 2022 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals demonstrated they have all the ingredients to be the last nation standing at the Emirates Arena this week.

With Yulia Putintseva’s never-say-die attitude and Elena Rybakina’s ferocious, free-swinging power, Great Britain - who came up short in the face of both on Tuesday evening - may not be alone in falling victim to Yarsolava Shvedova’s team at the women's World Cup of Tennis.

"We can win it," Shvedova said matter-of-factly after the Kazakhs completed a 2-1 victory over the hosts. Indeed, they are now just three wins away from overall glory and can seal their place in Saturday’s semi-finals with victory over Spain on Wednesday.

Aided by an enthusiastic band of supporters in the stands, the Kazakhs were nothing short of merciless to their hosts at the Emirates Arena – albeit after a “pretty slow" start for Putintseva.

The world No. 54 played her way into form to beat Britain’s Katie Boulter 4-6 6-3 6-2 in the tie's opening match, before Rybakina overpowered Harriet Dart 6-1 6-4 to clinch the tie for the Kazakhs. Debutants Alicia Barnett and Olivia Nicholls gave the home team something to cheer late on, grabbing a valuable point in the doubles with a 7-5 6-3 victory over Rybakina and Anna Danilina.

The debutants were understandably delighted with their victory but it may yet prove little more than a silver lining in the grand scheme of things in what was otherwise a tough day at the office for Keothavong's team.

Boulter was left to lament struggles with her serve and an inability to handle Putintseva’s change of tactics after losing the opening set of the tie, while Dart could only applaud the superiority of her opponent in the second match.

“I really don’t think I played that bad,” reflected the world No. 95 after her 73-minute defeat to the reigning Wimbledon champion. “She’s one of the few players on tour that can take the match out of your hands.”

Dart has proved more than capable against higher-ranked opposition this year, having accumulated Top 30 wins over Elina Svitolina, Camila Giorgi, Jil Teichmann and Daria Kasatkina, and she did make a fight of it in the second set.

"Dart was playing really well, especially second set," said Rybakina. "I was a bit up and down. I lost few games on my serve, but overall, I think it was a good match for me for the first one."

The opening match of this Group C tie always felt pivotal to the outcome and Boulter had looked set to give Great Britain a fighting chance when she wrapped up the first set in 50 minutes.

Putintseva failed to register so much as a point for the first nine points of her own serve as Boulter teed off on her groundstrokes early on, but when the Kazakh recognised a change in approach was needed, Boulter failed to find an answer.

“I think I stared pretty slow because the court was a bit faster than I expected,” admitted Putintseva. “Everything was lightning, plus Katie was playing fast. I was just trying to adapt for the situation, trying to adjust my game a little bit, trying to be a little bit more aggressive. I’m really happy that I could bring the point in the end.”

A despondent Boulter slipped to 0-3 in her career clashes against Putintseva, who remains the only player to beat her in the 11 matches she has played for her country in the Billie Jean King Cup.

“I struggled with my serve a bit today - I think my percentage must have been very low, which didn’t help me at all,” lamented Boulter, who did indeed make just 57% of first serves. “I fought till the end and ultimately I fell short.”

The Brits were at least all smiles at the end, with Barnett and Nicholls repaying Keothavong's decision to pick doubles specialists for the contest over higher-ranked singles players.

“It’s definitely our best ever win," enthused Nicholls. "Top 20 doubles player and a Wimbledon champion..."

“And to do that for your country as well on debut, on home soil…" chipped in Barnett. "Massive.”