Slovenia stuns 2022 finalists Australia within the opening tie of the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Seville, Spain.
Seville, Spain, 7 November 2023 | Leigh Rogers
Outgoing captain Alicia Molik believes her Australian crew can’t be discounted, regardless of dropping their opening group tie on the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Spain.
“It’s a large problem for us, however something is feasible,” an upbeat Molik mentioned following Australia’s 1-2 loss to Slovenia on the opening day of the competitors.
Slovenia swept each singles rubbers to make a dream finals debut within the prestigious crew competitors.
World No.104 Kaja Juvan posted a 6-4 6-1 victory in opposition to Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic within the opening singles rubber, earlier than world No.100 Tamara Zidansek sealed victory for Slovenia with a 6-1 6-4 overcome Daria Saville.
Molik defended the crew’s choice to not play Kimberly Birrell, who’s at the moment Australia’s top-ranked singles participant.
“It was a extremely troublesome choice, as a result of everybody’s stage was extremely excessive between Kim, Ajla and Sprint,” Molik mentioned.
“However generally you do need to depend on expertise.”
Birrell as an alternative teamed with new world No.1 Storm Hunter in doubles, with the first-time pairing edging out a 7-5 6-7(2) [10-5] victory in opposition to Slovenian duo Veronika Erjavec and Ela Nala Milic.
“To come back out and play the doubles, although we misplaced the tie, it’s nonetheless actually vital to try to get a win on the board,” Hunter mentioned.
“Kimbo and myself, we did a extremely good job simply hanging in powerful and ended up getting the win, which was superior.”
Remarkably, Hunter’s flight from Cancun (the place she was competing on the WTA Finals) solely arrived in Seville two hours earlier than the tie commenced.
“(My) baggage didn’t arrive, in order that made it a bit difficult, however I had some racquets on me and I used to be ready to play,” Hunter mentioned.
“I had my outfit, my footwear, and mentally I used to be able to go if our crew wanted that.
“It was clearly a fast turnaround, however for me, representing my nation is the best honour and actually essentially the most wonderful factor I can ever do with my tennis profession. I wish to be prepared and ready each time attainable.”
The Australian crew performs their last round-robin match on Thursday in opposition to a Kazakhstan line-up spearheaded by world No.4 Elena Rybakina.
“It’s a do-or-die one, isn’t it? It’s all or nothing,” Molik mentioned.
“Typically it’s good truly when you could win, as a result of there isn’t any different possibility. You actually are pressured right into a nook.”
The nation that finishes atop of Group B will advance to the knockout semifinals later within the week.
Billie Jean King Cup 2023 Finals
SLOVENIA d AUSTRALIA 2-1
Kaja Juvan (SLO) d Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) 6-4 6-1
Tamara Zidansek (SLO) d Daria Saville (AUS) 6-1 6-4
Kimberly Birrell/Storm Hunter (AUS) d Veronika Erjavec/Ela Nala Milic (SLO) 7-5 6-7(2) [10-5]
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