Billie Jean King Cup: Niemeier and Lys start in Croatia in singles
On Friday, Porsche Team Germany will start the Billie Jean King Cup Play-Offs against Croatia. Team captain Rainer Schüttler sets up Jule Niemeier and Eva Lys individually.
by p.m
last edit: Nov 10, 2022, 03:29 pm
In the first individual, Eva Lys will make her debut in the nations competition tomorrow at 4 p.m. against Petra Martic. Then Jule Niemeier meets Donna Vekic.
Rainer Schüttler: “Two good matches tomorrow. The Croatians have played good tournaments recently. But we are also ready and had an intensive training week here.”
Regarding the decision to set up Eva Lys as the second player, the team captain says: "It was a 50/50 decision, which we talked about for a long time yesterday. At the end of the day, we think Eva is a little better at Petra Martic's game."
On the second day at 2 p.m. the two top players Jule Niemeier and Petra Martic will meet. After a 20-minute break, Eva Lys takes on Donna Vekic. Laura Siegemund and Anna-Lena Friedsam will play the final doubles game against Ana Konjuh and Petra Martic.
The team captains have the option to change the line-up again for matchday two.
This is at stake
A DTB selection has met teams from the Adriatic coast four times so far, and the German team has won four times. The fifth edition will take place on November 11 and 12 at the Zamet Sports Center (Rijeka, Croatia) on hard court.
If they beat Croatia, Porsche Team Germany would be in contention for the Billie Jean King Cup again in 2023. A defeat would mean relegation to Regional Group 1.