MALAGA, Spain — Poland’s Iga Swiatek beat house favourite Paula Badosa of Spain to knock out the host of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals within the opening spherical on Friday, whereas Britain eradicated Germany.
The world No. 2 Swiatek sealed Poland’s spot within the quarterfinals in opposition to the Czech Republic after she beat No. 12 Badosa 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-1 on the indoor hard-court.
Badosa scrapped to get again within the match by successful the second-set tiebreaker. However Swiatek roared again with a dominant third set and a break benefit of 8-3.
The match was delayed late within the third set for what organizers referred to as a “medical incident” apparently among the many spectators inside Malaga’s Palacio de Deportes.
“She pushed me,” Swiatek mentioned after the tie was received 2-0. “There was a number of strain within the tiebreaker and it went her manner, however I knew I might get again in it within the third set.”
She underscored the significance of Magda Linette’s opening win within the tie.
“We each did it, and in addition the entire Polish crew,” the five-time Grand Slam winner mentioned after making her BJK Finals debut.
Linette took practically fours to place down Sara Sorribes 7-6 (8), 2-6, 6-4.
Linette confronted a 3-0 deficit within the decisive set however regrouped and completed off Sorribes. Linette hit extra winners, 55-12, whereas additionally making 79 unforced errors to Sorribes’ 26.
The match between Spain and Poland was initially scheduled for Wednesday however was pushed again two days as a result of heavy rain in southern Spain which triggered some flooding in Malaga. Authorities in Spain are on excessive alert after huge flash floods claimed greater than 200 lives final month.
Britain advances previous Germany
Emma Raducanu obtained Britain going by hitting 10 aces in a 6-4, 6-4 win over Jule Neimeier, who damage her trigger with 9 double faults.
Katie Boulter then brushed apart Laura Siegemund 6-1, 6-2 to wrap up the win for the Brits.
Britain will face defending champion Canada within the quarterfinals.
On Thursday, Slovakia beat the USA, whereas Japan defeated Romania.
Nadal trains for Davis Cup farewell
The BJK Cup Finals and the Davis Cup Finals are happening on the similar venue within the southern Spanish metropolis.
Rafael Nadal educated on Friday for the lads’s competitors starting subsequent week, which he has mentioned shall be his final competitors earlier than he retires.
That is the primary time the ladies’s crew event is happening on the similar venue because the Davis Cup and with overlapping dates. And for the second 12 months in a row, it’ll provide equal prize cash to the lads’s competitors.
