Kazakhstan has become the first nation to secure its place at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in September, thanks to Elena Rybakina`s decisive victory on Friday. Canada and Ukraine also made impressive starts in their respective qualifiers.
With Kazakhstan`s qualification, the lineup for the Finals is beginning to solidify. They will join defending champion Italy and host nation China in Shenzhen, alongside the six group winners from this week`s qualifiers.
An interesting trend in this week`s ties is the absence of decisive doubles matches. All ten ties played on Thursday and Friday were concluded with 2-0 victories in singles matches.
Day 2 Qualifiers Roundup:
Group A: Canada vs. Romania (3-0)
Canada`s rising stars delivered singles wins in their Group A opener. 18-year-old Victoria Mboko defeated Miriam Bulgaru 6-1, 6-4, and 20-year-old Marina Stakusic overcame Anca Todoni 6-4, 6-3.
Rebecca Marino and Kayla Cross secured a doubles victory for Canada, completing the clean sweep. Canada remains in contention to win their second Billie Jean King Cup title in three years.
Stakusic commented on her match, highlighting the high quality of play and the toughness of her opponent, Anca Todoni.
Group A`s outcome remains open with two ties still to be played.
Group B: Spain vs. Brazil (3-0)
Spain, a five-time champion, had a successful start to their qualifier. Sara Sorribes Tormo defeated Laura Pigossi 6-3, 7-5, and Jessica Bouzas Maneiro triumphed over Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, establishing a 2-0 lead. Sorribes Tormo and Cristina Bucsa then won the doubles match to secure the overall victory.
Spain dominated the Billie Jean King Cup in the 1990s, winning five titles that decade, led by Grand Slam champions Arantxa Sanchez Vicario and Conchita Martinez.
Spain is set to face 11-time champion Czech Republic on Saturday in a crucial Group B match to determine who advances to the Finals. Brazil has been eliminated from contention.
Group C: Slovakia vs. Denmark (2-0)
Slovakia, the 2002 champion, fought hard for a win in their opening Group C tie. Viktoria Hruncakova defeated Rebecca Munk Mortensen 6-4, 6-3 to begin the tie.
The second singles match was unexpectedly tight. World No. 37 Rebecca Sramkova battled for 3 hours and 10 minutes to defeat world No. 698 Johanne Christine Svendsen 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3.
Group C is still undecided, with 18-time champion United States yet to make their first appearance. They will play Denmark on Saturday and Slovakia on Sunday.
Group D: Kazakhstan vs. Colombia (3-0)
Kazakhstan secured their place in the Shenzhen Finals by winning Group D and eliminating Colombia and Australia. Elena Rybakina and Yulia Putintseva delivered dominant performances.
Putintseva swiftly defeated Valentina Mediorreal Arias 6-0, 6-1 in just 37 minutes. Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, followed up with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Yuliana Lizarazo in 51 minutes.
Colombia put up a fight in the doubles match, but Zarina Diyas and Zhibek Kulambayeva secured a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 win to complete Kazakhstan`s sweep.
Group E: Ukraine vs. Poland (3-0)
After Poland`s win on Thursday, Ukraine rebounded strongly on Friday. Ukraine`s top players secured singles wins to keep Group E competitive.
Marta Kostyuk defeated Katarzyna Kawa 6-1, 6-2, and former World No. 3 Elina Svitolina overcame Maja Chwalinska 7-6(4), 6-3. Lyudmyla and Nadiia Kichenok won the doubles match, completing the 3-0 victory.
Group E is still open, but Ukraine can guarantee advancement by defeating Switzerland on Saturday.
Group F: Great Britain vs. Germany (2-1)
Great Britain made a successful Group F debut with two singles wins on Friday. Sonay Kartal defeated Jule Niemeier 6-4, 6-2, and Katie Boulter battled past Tatjana Maria 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 to clinch the tie.
Laura Siegemund and Anna-Lena Friedsam won the doubles point for two-time champion Germany. However, Germany has been eliminated after losing both ties this week.
Group F will be decided in the final tie between Great Britain and the Netherlands, determining who will proceed to Shenzhen.
