World No. 2 Iga Świątek and No. 38 Magda Linette led Poland to victory over Spain in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals' first round, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead with two singles wins.
The best-of-three tie in the most prestigious international team competition in women's tennis was delayed from Wednesday due to a severeweather alert.
Friday's clash began with Linette’s epic 7-6(6), 2-6, 6-4 triumph over Sara Sorribes Tormo in 3 hours and 51 minutes.
Świątek then sealed the victory by defeating Paula Badosa 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1, despite a shaky second set, in Malaga on Friday.
Poland has advanced to the quarterfinals to face 11-time champions the Czech Republic, whose lineup includes Linda Noskova, Marie Bouzkova, Sara Bejlek and Katerina Siniakova following Karolina Muchova’s withdrawal.
Świątek and Badosa’s encounter began evenly, with intense baseline rallies and solid serves. Świątek broke Badosa's serve at 3-2 and surged to win seven consecutive games, taking a 3-0 lead in the second set. However, Badosa regrouped to force a tiebreak, edging it 7-5.
The third set saw a flurry of service breaks before Świątek held for 3-1 and extended to 4-1. The match was briefly interrupted for a spectator’s medical issue, but Świątek maintained her momentum to close out the win.
Friday's clash began with Linette’s epic 7-6(6), 2-6, 6-4 triumph over Sara Sorribes Tormo in 3 hours and 51 minutes.
Świątek then sealed the victory by defeating Paula Badosa 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1, despite a shaky second set, in Malaga on Friday.
“Magda played an amazing match this morning. We both did it. I’m really happy we finally won a match at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals,” Świątek said just after her match.Masterful from Iga 💪✨#BJKCup pic.twitter.com/Tsgcy0QQxP
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) November 15, 2024
Poland has advanced to the quarterfinals to face 11-time champions the Czech Republic, whose lineup includes Linda Noskova, Marie Bouzkova, Sara Bejlek and Katerina Siniakova following Karolina Muchova’s withdrawal.
Świątek and Badosa’s encounter began evenly, with intense baseline rallies and solid serves. Świątek broke Badosa's serve at 3-2 and surged to win seven consecutive games, taking a 3-0 lead in the second set. However, Badosa regrouped to force a tiebreak, edging it 7-5.
The third set saw a flurry of service breaks before Świątek held for 3-1 and extended to 4-1. The match was briefly interrupted for a spectator’s medical issue, but Świątek maintained her momentum to close out the win.
Earlier in the day Linette earned her first career victory over Sorribes Tormo, coming back from 3-0 down in the final set. Having lost all four of their previous encounters, Linette celebrated her hard-fought win, saying, “I hate playing Sara so much! I knew it was going to take four hours, and it did.”Signed. Sealed. Delivered.💥@MagdaLinette is still fighting for every inch in this match #BJKCup | @pzt_tenis pic.twitter.com/mgb4yK0kKo
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) November 15, 2024
Sorribes Tormo displayed characteristic resilience, even saving Linette’s first match point with a stunning lob. But Linette’s aggressive net play ultimately secured Poland’s opening win.When it takes you four hours to beat your opponent 😅#BJKCup | @MagdaLinette pic.twitter.com/fiE90zL1vh
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) November 15, 2024
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