Žreb decides: Slovaks meet opponent in the fight for promotion to the Billie-Jean King Cup tournament – Športky.sk

PRAGUE – Slovak tennis players will present themselves in Australia in qualifying for the final tournament of the Billie-Jean King Cup 2022. Saturday’s draw in Prague decided that. It will be played on 15-16. April, the procedure will be secured by the winners of nine qualifying duels. This year’s finalists – players from the Russian Tennis Federation and the Swiss – are already participating.

The Slovaks figured at the draw among the non-deployed teams and could still meet France, the USA, the Czech Republic, Belarus, Germany, Canada, Spain or Romania. At the final tournament of 2021 in Prague, the trustees of Captain Matej Lipták started in the C-group, in which they took second place behind the Americans and only narrowly missed the semifinals. Given the equality of points with the USA and Spain, the lower number of sets won decided against them.

So far, Slovaks have a negative 0: 2 balance with Australians. In 1995, they lost to them on the grass in Perth 2: 3. The same result was born in February 2016 on clay in the Bratislava NTC in the duel of the 1st round of the world group. The key figure at the time was Samantha Stosur, who won both singles and, alongside Casey Dellacqu, won a point in the deciding doubles.

One of the toughest opponents possible

The general secretary of the Slovak Tennis Association, Igor Moška, ​​was not very pleased with the result of the draw. “We got one of the toughest opponents possible. Australia has a very strong team led by world team Ashleigh Barty, who did not start in the final tournament in Prague this year. Even without her, the Australians advanced to the semifinals, which testifies to their quality. starts at 0: 0. I believe that the girls are fighting and trying to surprise. Given the date of the match, I assume that the home team has chosen a hard surface, but they play well on everyone, “ said Moška.

The Slovaks would welcome another opponent

Viktória Kužmová also wanted another opponent. “As for traveling, it couldn’t have been worse. I can’t even imagine two trips to Australia in three months. It will be very difficult.” responded for the official website of the Slovak Tennis Association on the Kužmová draw, which feels like a fish in water in team competitions. “Australia has great players in its ranks, they were also in the semifinals in Prague now. We will see who will play for them at that time. I think we will have a hard meet.” added Tomáš Hrunčák’s menagerie.

Tereza Mihalíková would welcome Slovaks having the advantage of the home environment in April. “We would rather play at home, but the draw decided otherwise. Australia is a very tough opponent and it is very likely that Barty will also play against us, who is a world single and quality debut. No one still knows if we will have to go to Australia. quarantine. It will still be interesting. “ said the former successful junior.

The Australian number two is Alja Tomljanovičová, the 43rd player in the WTA world rankings was a team unit in Prague in the absence of Barty. In the top 100 is also Astra Sharm, who ranks 99th. Storm Sanders is 121. Stosur, who is in the 26th position, is the highest in the doubles ranking.

Qualifying draw for the Billie-Jean King Cup Final (April 15-16): Australia – SLOVAKIA, Italy – France, USA – Ukraine, Czech Republic – Great Britain, Belarus – Belgium, Kazakhstan – Germany, Canada – Latvia, Netherlands – Spain, Poland – Romania

• The author: © List
• Source: TASR