The reigning champion Switzerland lost to the Czech Republic at the start of the Billie Jean King Cup

Switzerland began their title defense in the finals of the Billie Jean King Cup, an unofficial world’s women team tennis championship, by losing to the Czech Republic by 0-3 in their opening Group A match in Seville.

The 18-year-old Linda Noskova overcame a deficit of 1:4 in the decisive third set and won her match versus Celine Naef by 2-1 (7:6, 4:6, 6:4). Marie Bouzkova defeated Viktorija Golubic by 2-0 (6:4, 6:4) and the doubles specialists Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova brought the clear victory to their team after defeating Viktorija Golubic and Jil Teichmann by 2-0 (7:6, 6:2).

The third team in the Group A is the United States, which holds the record with 18 trophies from the competition.

In group B, last season’s finalists Australia also started with a 1-2 defeat by Slovenia. Kaja Juvan won her macth versus Ajla Tomljanovic by 2-0 (6:4, 6:1), while the 2021 Roland Garros semi-finalist Tamara Zidansek defeated Daria Saville by 2-0 (6:1, 6:4) to guarantee the victory to Slovenia after two wins in the singles matches. In doubles, the Australian tandem Storm Hunter and Kimberly Birrell prevailed over Slovenian players Veronika Erjavec and Ela Nala Milic by 2-1 (7:5, 6:7, 10-5) to form the final score of 2-1.

The finals of theBillie Jean King Cup feature 12 teams, divided into four groups, with the winners of each qualifying for the semi-finals.