Grand Slam champions Elena Rybakina and Barbora Krejcikova easily won their opening matches at the Billie Jean King Cup women’s team tennis tournament to help Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic respectively to take 2-0 leads in today’s qualifiers.
Kazakhstan beat Poland after world number one Iga Swiatek missed the matches due to injury. Yulia Putintseva defeated Magda Linette by 2-0 (7:5, 6:3) at the start, after which Elena Rybakina won the second match. The Wimbledon champion made nine aces and won 3/6 break opportunities for a 2-0 (6:3, 6:4) success against Weronika Falkowska.
The remaining two singles matches and the doubles match are scheduled for tomorrow.
“Magda Linette is a difficult opponent and a difficult task awaits me tomorrow. I hope to feel more comfortable on the court and reach the victory”, said Elena Rybakina after the match.
Former Roland Garros finalist Marketa Vondrousova defeated Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk by 2-0 (6:2, 6:1) in the Turkish resort of Antalya and gave the Czech Republic the lead after the first singles match. Barbora Krejcikova, champion in the 2021 French Open / Roland-Garros, later prevailed over Katarina Zavatska by 2-0 (6:4, 6:3).
The 27-year-old Barbora Krejcikova will donate all her earnings from the qualifications to the victims of the earthquakes in Turkey.
Spain has a 2-0 lead over Mexico after Sara Sorribes Tormo beat Fernanda Contreras Gomez by 2-0 (6:0, 6:0), then Nuria Parrizas-Diaz prevailed over Renata Zarazua by 2-0 (6:4, 6:3).
Two more matches are currently underway, with France leading against Great Britain and Brazil having an advantage against Germany.
Tonight, defending champion USA will play Austria and Canada will face Belgium. The winners of the qualifiers will join reigning champions Switzerland and runners-up Australia in the finals between February 7 and 12.
The 12th team for the finals will be announced after the host selection.
