Tamara Zidanšek je bila primorana predati tekmo proti Kaitlin Quevedo.
Uvodni dvoboj med Tamaro Zidanšek in Kaitlin Quevedo se ni razpletel po željah domače reprezentance. Zidanškova je srečanje odprla zelo dobro in po uri in sedmih minutah igre dobila prvi niz s 6:4. V drugem nizu sta bili igralki izenačeni do 2:2, nato pa je Španka dobila štiri zaporedne igre in izenačila izid v nizih. V začetku tretjega niza je slovenska igralka pri udarcu z backhandom nerodno stopila, si zvila gleženj in bila zaradi poškodbe primorana predati dvoboj.
Za izenačenje je nato poskrbela Veronika Erjavec, ki je z 6:4 in 6:3 premagala Leyre Romero Gormaz. Slovenka se je v obeh nizih znašla v zaostanku, saj je njena tekmica prva prišla do ‘breaka’. V drugem nizu je Španka povedla z 2:0, a je Erjavec je odlično reagirala, prevzela pobudo in do konca dvoboja izgubila le še eno igro.
Veronika Erjavec je rezultat izenačila na 1:1. (Foto: Vid Ponikvar)
Odločitev o zmagovalkah bo padla v soboto. Program se bo ob 11. uri začel z dvobojem dvojic, kjer sta bili sprva za Slovenijo predvideni Kaja Juvan in Nika Radišić, vendar bi lahko zaradi poškodbe Tamare Zidanšek lahko prišlo do spremembe. Po obračunu dvojic bo na sporedu še vsaj en dvoboj posameznic, v primeru izenačenega rezultata 2:2 pa bo odločal še peti obračun.
Slovenija tako po prvem dnevu ostaja povsem v igri za napredovanje na zaključni turnir.
Kvalifikacije za zaključni turnir pokala Billie Jean King:
Portorož: Slovenija – Španija 1:1*
– petek, 10. april:
Tamara Zidanšek – Kaitlin Quevedo 6:4, 2:6, 0:0* – predaja
Veronika Erjavec – Leyre Romero 6:4, 6:3
– sobota, 11. april:
Kaja Juvan/Nika Radišić – Aliona Bolsova/Sara Sorribes Tormo
Veronika – Erjavec – Kaitlin Quevedo
Tamara Zidanšek – Leyre Romero
BJK – AFTER DAY 1: Injury blow for Tamara Zidanšek, Veronika Erjavec levels the tie at 1–1
The Billie Jean King Cup qualifying tie between Slovenia and Spain got underway in Portorož today. After the first day of competition, the score is level at 1–1.
The opening match between Tamara Zidanšek and Kaitlin Quevedo did not go Slovenia’s way. Zidanšek started strongly, winning the first set 6–4 after one hour and seven minutes of play. The second set remained level at 2–2 before the Spaniard won four consecutive games to level the match. Early in the third set, Zidanšek awkwardly stepped during a backhand shot, twisted her ankle, and was forced to retire due to injury.
Veronika Erjavec then leveled the tie with a 6–4, 6–3 win over Leyre Romero Gormaz. The Slovenian found herself trailing in both sets, as her opponent was the first to secure a break. In the second set, the Spaniard even took a 2–0 lead, but Erjavec responded brilliantly, took control of the match, and lost only one more game until the end.
The winner of the tie will be decided on Saturday. The schedule will begin at 11 a.m. with the doubles match, where Kaja Juvan and Nika Radišić were initially set to represent Slovenia, although a change is possible due to Zidanšek’s injury. The doubles match will be followed by at least one singles rubber, and if the score is tied at 2–2, a decisive fifth match will determine the winner.
Slovenia remains firmly in contention for a place in the Finals after the opening day.
Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers:
Portorož: Slovenia – Spain 1–1*
– Friday, April 10
Tamara Zidanšek – Kaitlin Quevedo 6:4, 2:6, 0:0* – predaja
Veronika Erjavec – Leyre Romero 6:4, 6:3
– Saturday, April 11
Kaja Juvan/Nika Radišić – Aliona Bolsova/Sara Sorribes Tormo
Veronika – Erjavec – Kaitlin Quevedo
Tamara Zidanšek – Leyre Romero