Billie Jean King Cup: Germany reaches the final tournament
The German tennis women qualified for the final tournament in the Billie Jean King Cup in Stuttgart. After Jule Niemeier's surprising victory against the world number 14. Beatriz Haddad Maia also won Anna-Lena Friedsam against Laura Pigossi 6:1, 6:0 and gave the team the crucial third point in the fourth singles match against Brazil.
by SID
last edit: Apr 15, 2023, 07:00 pm
Friedsam showed a highly concentrated performance against the Brazilian number two from the start and repeatedly took the serve from the overwhelmed Pigossi. In the second round she also convinced with aggressive power tennis and brought home the easy victory.
Previously, Wimbledon quarter-finalist Niemeier had won 7: 6 (7: 3), 3: 6, 6: 2 against the favored Haddad Maia after an almost three-hour marathon match and put Germany in the lead in the qualifying duel. "We took the momentum from yesterday with us and I'm happy that I was able to help the team," said a visibly relaxed Niemeier: "I was very nervous and I'm extremely proud that I came back like this."
Niemeier, who had been surprisingly nominated for Tatjana Maria, who had won the day before, secured the hard-fought first set in the tie break. After she had to give up the second round, the Dortmund player showed her best side in the deciding set and took the serve from Haddad Maia three times.
The German team qualified for the final tournament with the twelve best national teams in November. The final location has not yet been determined.