2023-11-07 22:51:35
Deprived of its leader Belinda Bencic, the Swiss team suffered defeat for its entry into Group A of the final tournament of the Billie Jean King Cup in Seville. Title holders, the team of captain Heinz Günthardt lost 3-0 once morest the Czech Republic, who forced the decision in the singles.
This failure should prove crippling for the Swiss, who this week defend the title won a year earlier in Glasgow thanks to an exceptional Belinda Bencic. Only the winner of this group, which also includes the United States, will advance to the semi-finals. Switzerland will face Team USA on Thursday.
Naef close to the feat
Preferred over Jil Teichmann for the No. 2 spot in singles, Céline Naef (WTA 139) nevertheless had her chance once morest Linda Noskova (WTA 41) in the first match of the day. The Schwyz neophyte led 4-1 in the decisive round before giving in at the end of a fight lasting more than 2h30′.
Celine Naef did not manage to drive home the point during the 3rd set. [Manu Fernandez – Keystone]
Céline Naef lost 7-6 (7/2) 4-6 6-4 once morest Linda Noskova, 18 years old like her but already used to playing at the highest level. Even if she crashed in the “money time” by losing the last five games, the Schwyzoise fully justified the confidence placed in her by Heinz Günthardt.
No. 1 of the team in the absence of Belinda Bencic, who is awaiting a happy event for next spring, Viktorija Golubic (WTA 84) did not sign any feat on Tuesday either. The Zurich native lost 6-4 6-4 to Marie Bouzkova (WTA 34), whom she had not faced since spring 2019.
A Czech Republic also diminished
Viktorija Golubic, who remained on ten consecutive victories and two titles (admittedly obtained on the secondary circuit), was not unworthy either. She thus led 4-3 serves to follow in the initial set. But she came up once morest an extremely solid Marie Bouzkova, especially in the decisive moments. The Swiss ended the evening with a third defeat, in doubles. Golubic and Jil Teichmann lost 7-6 6-2 to Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova.
Favorite of this final tournament, the Czechia nevertheless played without its two best players, Marketa Vondrousova (WTA 6) and Barbora Krejcikova (10), resting following having made the long journey from Cancun where they played the Masters. But captain Petr Pala relies on an extremely homogeneous squad.
ats/bao
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