Australia returns to Pat Rafter Area on Saturday to tackle Colombia, in search of a second-place end on the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers.
Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11 April 2025 | Matt Trollope
Australia goals to finish its Billie Jean King Qualifiers marketing campaign on a successful be aware once they host Colombia at Pat Rafter Area on Saturday.
Australia fell 2-1 in its first tie on Thursday to Kazakhstan, who subsequently beat Colombia 3-0 on Friday to high the group.
Kazakhstan’s reward is qualification for the eight-nation Finals in Shenzhen in September, whereas Australia and Colombia will contest the Play-offs in November.
But their conflict on Saturday has ramifications for what unfolds within the Play-offs; the winner receives additional nations rating factors which is able to affect the seeding order of countries in November.
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OFFICIAL PROGRAM: Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers (AUS-COL-KAZ)
Australia will enter the tie as favourites over the Colombians, who have been overwhelmed within the singles rubbers by Kazakhstan on Friday.
Yulia Putintseva trounced teenage debutant Valentina Mediorreal Arias 6-0 6-1 earlier than Elena Rybakina ensured an unassailable 2-0 lead along with her 6-1 6-2 win over Yuliana Lizarazo.
“Kazakhstan is a really robust group, however I’m very pleased with the women, of Colombian group,” mentioned captain Alejandro Gonzalez.
“I imply, to go there in opposition to Putintseva, Rybakina… and the women making an attempt to only go for it, attempt to do their greatest. And that’s what it counts to me.
“We are saying head up, for us, and tomorrow we have now one other tie. Once more, Australia, one other alternative to do it higher than immediately.”
Australia is just like Colombia in blooding an 18-year-old debutant for this Qualifiers competitors.
Maya Joint performed Putintseva on Thursday within the opening singles rubber of the occasion, earlier than Kim Birrell pushed Rybakina to the restrict, holding a set level earlier than falling 6-3 7-6(4).
MORE: Debutant Joint receives group jacket from Aussie legend Bowrey
However not like Colombia, who haven’t any gamers ranked contained in the WTA singles high 600, Australia has three on the group contained in the WTA high 100, plus a world-class doubles mixture in Ellen Perez and Storm Hunter, each former top-10 doubles gamers.
Hunter and Perez received the doubles rubber in opposition to Kazakhstan to slim the ultimate rating to 1-2 – one thing captain Sam Stosur believes may show invaluable in the long term.
“These two [Hunter and Perez] went on the market full properly realizing that this might nonetheless imply one thing relying on clearly the outcome tomorrow,” Stosur mentioned on Thursday night.
“They went on the market and performed with the identical depth that it could have been no matter what the prior outcomes have been. Each match counts, you go on the market and symbolize your nation and also you wish to do the most effective you possibly can each single time.
“We’ll in all probability have a little bit of a watch on the [Colombia v Kazakhstan] match and the way it’s going and attempt to scout out the Colombians somewhat bit and be as ready as what we will be for Saturday.”
Australia takes on Kazakhstan from 12pm at Pat Rafter Area on Thursday 10 April. Watch the motion on 9Gem and 9Now and comply with alongside on Tennis Australia’s social media channels.
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