2022 Billie Jean King Cup

[D-Lite]

So Spain took care of Kazakhstan 3-0 and will play GB to progress - Badosa with an impressive win over Rybakina.
Gauff and McNally came through with the W to get USA a 2-1 win. I expected Collins/Keys to be more effective in the singles, but Linette can be a tough cookie. Against the Czechs I expect they'll bring Gauff in and possibly play Collins. Both Collins and Keys have high ceilings but they really are periodic form players and I'm not convinced either is in form. Hopefully Collins has played herself into some form as that would make it interesting at least if the tie could be decided with the doubles. I'm also hoping GB vs Spain goes to the doubles so Barnett/Nicholls can play a live rubber after their impressive win over Rybakina/Dalinina 2 days ago.

 

[spystud]

My goodness, was your goal a seizure to anyone that read it?

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Doubles has really helped Storm Sanders. Now ranked in the top 10 in doubles.

She's up a set on Van Uytvanvk who's ranked #54. This comes after defeating Kuzmova ranked #144.

Storm is ranked #237.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Storm Sanders gets a dominant and big win over Van Uytvanck and Australia qualify for the SF's!

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Gee it's lucky Australia have already qualified for the SF cause Mertens is destroying a terrible Tomljanovic right now.

Elise just broke for a double break in the 2nd set after winning the first.

Mertens leads 6-4 3-0 serving for the next game.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Gee it's lucky Australia have already qualified for the SF cause Mertens is destroying a terrible Tomljanovic right now.

Elise just broke for a double break in the 2nd set after winning the first.

Mertens leads 6-4 3-0 serving for the next game.

Mad respect to Mertens for both coming to this tournament and now playing despite being eliminated. She was in Texas for the WTA Finals 36 hours ago and won the Doubles and here she is in Scotland!

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Todd Woodbirdge now saying Australia is not qualified for the SF and we need to win 1 more set to qualify for the SF's so they were wrong.

Wow.

This singles match looks done so we need a set in the doubles to qualify. Well this has changed things. What terrible commentating to have ****ing got that wrong.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Mad respect to Mertens for both coming to this tournament and now playing despite being eliminated. She was in Texas for the WTA Finals 36 hours ago and won the Doubles and here she is in Scotland!

Now making sense why Mertens has come out so strong. Knew that Belgium were a chance at the SF despite the first loss. She could win this in straights and then back it up in the doubles as the newly crowned WTA Finals champ and get Belgium through to the SF. How did the commentators get this so wrong?

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Elise Mertens serve has absolutely deserted her. 3 doubles faults this game.

She led 6-3 4-1 40-0.

Now BP Ajla.

And she breaks!

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Wow,

Mertens double faults again to give the second break back to Ajla. 7 double faults this set.

Elise is at 35% first serve % this set.

From 1-4 down to 4-4.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Mertens loses 5 straight games and Ajla takes the 2nd set after being 1-4 down.

I think now we've qualified for the SF? But these commentators have no clue.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Mertens and Belgium retire.

Australia are through to the SF.

 

[InvisibleSoul]

LAF with the double bagel on world #28 Trevisan.

 

[ScottleeSV]

Hoping for a 3-0 GB miracle against Spain lol

The fixtures look potentially winnable aside from Dart v Badosa.

 

[ktx]

Czech v Poland is on TC right now and these air horns are making it unbearable. I like that it’s a different environment but ouch.

 

[ScottleeSV]

Watson smashes Parrizaz-Diaz 6-0 6-2 to put GB 1-0 up.

Can that inspire Dart against Badosa?

 

[D-Lite]

Watson smashes Parrizaz-Diaz 6-0 6-2 to put GB 1-0 up.

Can that inspire Dart against Badosa?

Dart up a set on Badosa. GB's Burrage beat Badosa in the warm-up to Wimbledon, so the commentators here were saying that will tell Dart that she can beat Badosa too. Badosa has been awful for months, with her win over Rybakina being an anomaly of late.
Big IF, but if GB can get a 2-0 lead then we have Barnett and Nicholls to lead GB in the doubles - being an actual touring team is a big bonus for teams in this format.
From what I'm seeing I wouldn't be surprised if Badosa comes back. She has the quality, but there is big pressure in this tie especially knowing Spain only need 1 win today to qualify for the SFs. Dart isn't the most clutch player typically, but hopefully GB being the underdogs here will benefit her and relieve the pressure.

 

[jindra]

Badosa

 

[ScottleeSV]

What a performance by Dart. Maximised everything she possibly had there. Can't believe we've made it to the final match.

 

[D-Lite]

GSM GB. An inspired Harriet Dart takes out a lackluster Paula Badosa 6-3 6-4. Dart was looking vulnerable at the end, but Badosa really is in poor form, even if she did beat Rybakina yesterday.

Who will Spain select for the doubles now? Bolsova must be in, but I'm not sure whether choosing one of today's singles losers would be a good idea. Perhaps Bucsa or Masarova? I think the Spanish need fresh blood now. The dynamic will now change - Barnett and Nicholls will become the favourites to finish this off. Hopefully they're inspired by the singles performances and do so. Spain will likely lose in the SFs - I don't see much quality in their team to trouble the big dogs. A home crowd for GB is a big advantage though - they're definitely playing way above their individual rankings.

 

[ScottleeSV]

It's Busca and Masarova.

I must admit, I know nothing about any of these 4 players coming out to play.

Edit - might not be those Spanish players actually. Flashscores has 'canc' next to the lineups.

 

[D-Lite]

And there we have it, Team GB make a remarkable comeback to beat Spain 3-0 and come out of their group after losing 2-1 to Kazakhstan on Tuesday. It'll be GB vs Australia in the semis! That's probably as good a draw as they could hope for. Even as a Brit, I'd favour Australia with Tomljanovic in singles and Sanders/Stosur in doubles, but to think that arguably the 4 strongest teams (Czech Rep, US, Canada and Switzerland) are in the Groups A and D, with the winners of those facing off is nothing short of an ideal draw.

 

[ScottleeSV]

That was unbelievable. I've known nothing but lacklustre Fed Cup disappointment for 30 odd years. Into a semi final we go, and with the star singles player missing. Having doubles specialists seems to have really helped.

 

[Nostradamus]

That was unbelievable. I've known nothing but lacklustre Fed Cup disappointment for 30 odd years. Into a semi final we go, and with the star singles player missing. Having doubles specialists seems to have really helped.

Iga didn't even want to play, that tells you how much this Fed cup matters now. might as well just get rid of it

 

[D-Lite]

Iga didn't even want to play, that tells you how much this Fed cup matters now. might as well just get rid of it

Probably a good thing she didn't play given Mertens rushed over and had to retire from her singles match against Tomljanovic today.

 

[jindra]

Probably a good thing she didn't play given Mertens rushed over and had to retire from her singles match against Tomljanovic today.

Iga already knew she was going to choke out of WTA Finals and didn’t want to see anyone until 2023.

 

[Nostradamus]

Probably a good thing she didn't play given Mertens rushed over and had to retire from her singles match against Tomljanovic today.

Man i really miss mertens giving signals to her partner in doubles though... i could watch that over and over

 

[spystud]

Yo @Fintft, come join us.

 

[D-Lite]

Any reason why Golubic has been chosen over Teichmann? 2 wins for Teichmann over Italy. BVA leads JT 2-1 in their H2H with a recent straight sets win in Guadalajara this year. Golubic trails their H2H also 0-1 after a 3 set match at the '21 USO. It appears that the recent loss for JT has made the Swiss captain take a risk on Golubic. I suppose if you want a robust team you need to play more than 2 players. Considering this is the pivotal tie to determine who wins the group I'd have put Golubic in the doubles with Bencic a few days ago to keep her match sharp, and keep Teichmann as the #2 singles player as she won her first match. Fernandez appears to be in fine form, and she's pairing up nicely with doubles specialist Dabrowski. This is looking good for Canada with BVA currently up a set on Golubic (6-2). Let's see if Golubic can find her form in her first match in Glasgow.

 

[D-Lite]

First break of the 2nd set goes to Golubic - she's up 2-0 on BVA after losing the first set.

 

[D-Lite]

Tamira Paszek is currently on court taking on Jelena Ostapenko in the World Group relegation playoffs - now that's a name I've not seen on a drawsheet in a long long time!

Edit: just had a quick Google - she's still only 31!

 

[D-Lite]

Golubic read my post on the changeover and was having none of it.

 

[D-Lite]

Damn, Switzerland really aren't to be doubted. I really thought this Canada team was going to be a lot tougher to dispatch of. I definitely thought a deciding doubles rubber was almost certainly going to happen - fool me. So that's the Swiss through to the SFs to face the US or Czech Republic. If Krejcikova is still out, I'd favour McCoco to take a deciding doubles if need be... They just need to ensure a singles win (or ideally 2). So far I can't see who the line ups are for Czech Rep. vs USA. I wouldn't be surprised if Pliskova is dropped as she doesn't seem to be in form. I'd expect Muchova to be in after her win against Poland, but I wonder if risking a fresh Siniakova for the doubles by playing her in the singles would be worthwhile? I am not sure how long Vondrousova has been back from her last injury. This is certainly a beatable Czech Rep. line-up, especially with the calibre of the US team if they can play their best. I'd probably play Gauff and Collins in the singles.

 

[Purestriker]

Golubic read my post on the changeover and was having none of it.

She is good and fun to watch.

 

[coolcamden]

Did LF lose a bit of lbs?

 

[ktx]

I am surprised because she's been out so long but Vondrousova really in the zone today.

 

[D-Lite]

I am surprised because she's been out so long but Vondrousova really in the zone today.

I'm surprised as I don't think she's played a WTA event in a good while. I really do think this is the most beatable Czech team in a while, but it'll be tough still - they just seem to thrive in these team events. Switzerland have a solid team record of late too, so they should be tough.
It's back to the drawing board for the US. Gauff should have ended her season after the WTA YEC. If her results there weren't a sign to then I don't know what would be. Collins has had a poor season since her AO final appearance, and likewise Keys has been all over the place since the AO.

 

[coolcamden]

Breaking news: Siniakova is playing Out of Her Mind today. Play for country and all..

And the whole World knows about CG’s atrocious FH now. No hiding. Need to fix it this off season.

 

[PSNELKE]

Breaking news: Siniakova is playing Out of Her Mind today. Play for country and all..

And the whole World knows about CG’s atrocious FH now. No hiding. Need to fix it this off season.

You can't "fix" that thing. The FH is the most difficult shot to develop and that happens in your juniors. They can't just change her mechanics, if they could've they would've done so the past two years

 

[Purestriker]

Breaking news: Siniakova is playing Out of Her Mind today. Play for country and all..

And the whole World knows about CG’s atrocious FH now. No hiding. Need to fix it this off season.

Breaking news would be if she isn’t playing out of her mind. Siniakova is a rockstar.

 

[ScottleeSV]

Nightmare start for GB because that was the singles we were mostly likely to win to get it to the doubles (where I felt we might have been faves). Watson just hits too many short and soft rally balls that are sat up to be belted.

 

[D-Lite]

Nightmare start for GB because that was the singles we were mostly likely to win to get it to the doubles (where I felt we might have been faves). Watson just hits too many short and soft rally balls that are sat up to be belted.

Unfortunately when Watson is not in the zone that's what you get. Sanders is playing well and was the more aggressive, but she was definitely there for the taking if Watson could be more aggressive/had a weapon other than her movement and precision - not having a big serve or groundstroke really limits the number of free points and early put aways she can execute.

It's all to do for Dart now. I am going to back Tomljanovic even though I want this to go to the doubles. Tomljanovic is a very consistent and self assured player nowadays. I feel the only way this can go Dart's way is if she plays an inspired and aggressive match and Tomljanovic struggles against the home crowd and the Australian team's expectations for her to finish this for them now.

 

[ScottleeSV]

I thought Watson served pretty well by Watson standards, just had a bang average time of it in the rallies. Made lots of errors and looked slow as well.

Sanders perhaps showed enough to suggest she might be top 100 if she didn't play doubles. Reminds me of Safarova.

Tomljanovic is winning this next match all day long.

 

[ScottleeSV]

That was amazing from Dart. I've seen her play maybe 10-15 times and she's never brought a level like that for 2 sets running (Badosa played less well than Tomljanovic). I don't know if she's more confident to hit it harder indoors but I don't remember her ever rocking players back on their feet like that before. If she can carry that on next year maybe she can rise higher than 98 and have her best tour year to date.

We've got the momentum here. GB marginal faves but I've called it wrong all year long pretty much.

 

[coolcamden]

Breaking news would be if she isn’t playing out of her mind. Siniakova is a rockstar.

How much are you willing to bet, she plays against Coco, that she would win 7 out of 10? That’s how I think how many CG would take from her, if not more.

 

[D-Lite]

That was amazing from Dart. I've seen her play maybe 10-15 times and she's never brought a level like that for 2 sets running (Badosa played less well than Tomljanovic). I don't know if she's more confident to hit it harder indoors but I don't remember her ever rocking players back on their feet like that before. If she can carry that on next year maybe she can rise higher than 98 and have her best tour year to date.

We've got the momentum here. GB marginal faves but I've called it wrong all year long pretty much.

Hopefully this is a big confidence boost for her! Even a set up I was expecting a collapse.

 

[D-Lite]

How much are you willing to bet, she plays against Coco, that she would win 7 out of 10? That’s how I think how many CG would take from her, if not more.

She knows how to play big matches, especially from her doubles, but on the normal tour I'd expect Gauff to win 7/10 for sure, that's why she's been #4 in the world rankings in singles. Gauff hasn't won big in singles yet, and her doubles pedigree still hasn't resulted in a major.

 

[D-Lite]

I'm at work at the moment. I'll have to catch highlights of the doubles decider between Aus and GB - scoreline looks super tight. Well played GB - they were way more competitive than I was ever expecting! Good luck in the final to Aus.

 

[ScottleeSV]

Heartbreaking match but super proud of them. It could have gone either way. GB had set points in both sets. I hope Barnett/Nicholls become the mainstays in British doubles for 4 or 5 years now. They need to keep working on a few things though.

Sanders was the best player in the doubles (and the match) by a mile.

Harriet Dart has the potential to be British no 1 by this time next year (if Raducanu just produces more of the same in 2023).

 

[Mark-Touch]

I see that the BJK Cup hosts have been feeding Bencic very well.