Badosa stars as Spain battle to victory over Kazakhstan

Paula Badosa impressed on her Billie Jean King Cup debut, battling past Elena Rybakina in three sets to help Spain complete a 3-0 victory over Kazakhstan.

The world No. 12 won 6-2 3-6 6-4 in two hours and five minutes, after Nuria Parrizas Diaz's earlier victory over Yulia Putintseva, to put the fate of Anabel Medina Garrigues’ side in their own hands ahead of their final Group C clash with Great Britain on Thursday.

Victory over the hosts would send Spain through to the semi-finals of the women’s World Cup of Tennis for the first time since 2008.

"Super happy, no?," said captain Medina Garrigues' of Spain's day's work. "As a captain, I think today was a perfect day. We know that Kazakhstan was a really tough opponent, and of course we were fighting to win the tie, but to finish the day with 3-0 for us is an unbelievable result."

Badosa returned to court in the doubles with Aliona Bolsova, defeating Putintseva and Anna Danilinia 6-4 6-2 for a perfect start to her career in country colours.

Before a ball was struck this week, world No. 12 Badosa had spoken of her huge motivation to compete for her country in the Billie Jean King Cup for the first time. She had designs on replicating Spain's ‘essence’ of being ‘fighters’ in this competition – a perception shaped by the likes of Conchita Martinez and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, who led the nation to five titles in the 1990s.

On the match court, she was true to her word.

In a topsy-turvy, big-hitting contest, Badosa found herself a break down in the final set but clawed her way back to three-all, and fended off a barrage of line-painting winners from the Wimbledon champion throughout the contest to seal an impressive triumph.

“It was my first time and I think I enjoyed every minute on court," beamed Badosa afterwards. "I love to represent my country, I love my country, I love the people in Spain. To me, playing here today was special, I gave everything and I hope now we can get the win in doubles.”

Rybakina, meanwhile, was keen to find the positives after a 3-0 defeat that ended Kazakhstan's hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

"Of course I'm very upset that I didn't win this match because it was very close," lamented Rybakina. "I think we both played really well. Some moments I didn't serve well, but in the end it was a good match.

"Overall it was a good experience for us, first time we are playing [at the Finals]. A good experience and something to take with us for next time."

Badosa’s win followed another determined display from Parrizas-Diaz, who eventually negotiated Putintseva to get Spain off to an excellent start.

Kazakhstan could have assured their place in Saturday's semi-finals with two match-wins in the tie, so Parrizas-Diaz's victory eased some of the pressure on Badosa with the doubles still to follow.

The 31-year-old defeated Putintseva 6-4 2-6 7-6(5) in two hours and 40 minutes, clinching victory on her sixth match point in the face of typically stubborn resolve from the Kazakh.

Putintseva saved two match points en route to breaking the Spaniard for 5-5 in the deciding set and three more in the ensuing tie-break, but the world No. 54 couldn't quite claw her way to victory and departed the court in tears after another hugely spirited effort for her country.

Badosa and Bolsova put the icing on the cake in a late night doubles, ultimately completing their Kazakh cleansweep.