Peterson-inspired Sweden make rip-roaring start in quest for Billie Jean King Cup promotion
11/04/2023 01:00Rebecca Peterson helped propel Sweden to a commanding 3-0 victory over Scandinavian rivals Norway and boost her nation’s hopes of reaching November’s Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Play-offs
Rebecca Peterson helped propel Sweden to a commanding 3-0 victory over Scandinavian rivals Norway and boost her nation’s hopes of reaching November’s Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Play-offs.
World No. 74 Petersen was the highest-ranked singles player on show during day one at the Megasaray Tennis Academy in Antalya, Türkiye where Europe/Africa Group I is kickstarting a pulsating week of action in the women’s world cup of tennis.
The 27-year-old won the crucial second match of her nation's showdown with Norway, defeating Malene Helgo 6-4 6-4, before Jacqueline Cabaj Awad and Kajsa Rinaldo Persson joined forces in the doubles to power Sweden to a 3-0 win.
While the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers later in the week will determine which nations advance to the Finals and have a chance of being crowned world champion in November, there is a different emphasis in Antalya.
The aim of nations competing at Europe/Africa Group I level is to secure promotion to November’s Play-offs, where victory would see them advance to the Qualifiers in April 2024.
A total of 11 nations – Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, Hungary, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, Sweden and Turkey – are facing off in Europe/Africa Group I.
The 11 nations are split into two pools, with the winners of each pool –following a round robin format – promoted directly to the Play-offs, with the second-placed teams in each pool facing each other for the third promotion spot.
There will also be positional play-offs for teams finishing 3rd to 5th in each pool to determine final placings and indeed which two nations are relegated to Europe/Africa Group II.
While Sweden are the early pacesetters in Pool B, Netherlands also made a rip-roaring start to proceedings courtesy of a 3-0 thrashing of Latvia, while hosts Türkiye, Denmark and Serbia also posted wins.