Ruthless USA go 2-0 up against Austria

USA wasted no time in securing a perfect start to end the opening day of the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifier against Austria 2-0 up in Delray Beach.

With the start of play delayed due to the threat of lightning, the American singles players provided the pyrotechnics on the court as first Coco Gauff and then Jessica Pegula dispatched their Austrian opponents for the loss of just nine games between them.

Gauff, competing in her hometown, clinched a 6-1 6-3 victory against Austrian No. 1 Julia Grabher much to the delight of the vocal US fans.

“I feel almost protective of playing in my home country and protective of the flag,” Gauff said afterwards.

“We always say home tie, but I don’t think it gets any more home than this. I was literally here last week practising. I train here, I was so happy when I found out it was going to be here. I was so nervous, but honestly, once I started on the court it all went away and I knew I just had one job.”

In the second match, Pegula picked up where her countrywoman left off. The world No. 3 raced to take the opening set without the loss of a game against Sinja Kraus, but was made to work harder for the win in the second.

She needed one hour and 14 minutes to complete a 6-0 7-5 victory.

“First set I played how I wanted to – I wanted to feel my way into the match. She started playing some really good tennis and I’m just proud of the way I played. I didn’t get frustrated there at the end and still stuck to my game and played aggressive.”

Between matches the competition’s namesake, Billie Jean King, presented compatriot Chris Evert with a Commitment Award. Evert holds the record for the most titles in the history of the competition and is one of seven American women to have competed in the 20 ties required to qualify for a Commitment Award.

Pegula now goes into the second day of play safe in the knowledge that one more win is all her team needs to book its place in the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

Austria, however, won’t go down without a fight. Captain Marion Maruska praised her players – both of whom were competing against Top 10 players for the first time in their careers.

“I think my players have to play point for point,” said Maruska. “You never know. Of course, it’s a tough situation for us. We’re down 2-0 and we’re playing against top players. I always tell them you just play every point. We are a good team, you are a good player and just try to play your best and then maybe we have a chance.”