BJK Cup: Krejcikova didn’t use her match point, Vondrousova did. The Czechs will play again in the final tournament

The Billie Jean King Cup qualifier between the Czech Republic and Ukraine took place on neutral ground in Belek, Turkey. The team led by captain Petr Pala was leading 2:0 after the first day. Krejčíková did not use her first match point on Saturday, but thanks to the second victory of Vondroušová the Czech team celebrates the qualification.

Friday’s programme started with a clear victory of Markéta Vondroušová over Marta Kostyuková. In less than an hour and a half on the clay court of the Megasaray Club, the result was 6:2 and 6:1.

Barbora Krejcikova allowed herself two dropped serves in her match with Katarina Zavacka, but it didn’t matter in the end. She won 6:4 and 6:3.

It was Krejčíková who could have added the decisive third point on Saturday morning. The world No. 12 started well against the 38th player in the WTA ranking Kostyukova, dominating the opening set 6::3 after taking the first set point.

However, the second set did not go well at all for the Ivančice native. After a quick break, she took an early lead, but then lost her serve three times in a row and lost 1:6.

At 2:2 in the crucial third game, the 20-year-old Ukrainian took the Czech’s serve. But then she made three double faults and allowed Krejcikova to level. However, Pál’s No.1 player failed to finish the match and lost 4::6, which reduced Ukraine’s lead to 1::2.

82. vondroušová, the world number 261, entered the duel with Zavacka in a bad way. However, she managed to turn the score 0::3 in her favour. With the help of six games won in a row, she finally won the first set 6: 3.

In the second set, the twenty-three year old player born in Sokolov came up with an important break at 3: 3. Vondroušová then finished the match and after winning 6:3, 6:4 she scored a decisive third point.

Our team will play again in the final tournament of the BJK Cup, where last year they reached the semi-finals. Kazakhstan, who defeated Poland, and Spain, who defeated Mexico, have also already advanced from this year’s qualification.

The reigning champions from Switzerland and last year’s beaten finalists from Australia have been guaranteed participation in the event officially called the Billie Jean King Cup Finals 2023. The jousting of the top 12 teams will take place from November 7 to 12, with the venue yet to be announced.

Source: Billie Jean King Cup, WTA, CT Sport