Billie Jean King Cup: Tatjana Maria with a lot of tailwind against Brazil
Wimbledon semi-finalist Tatjana Maria travels to the Billie Jean King Cup as the newly crowned tournament winner. In the duel with Brazil, the German team wants to benefit from their top form.
by SID
last edit: Apr 13, 2023, 06:46 pm
The mood could hardly be better for Tatjana Maria these days. Whether training on the field, at the official photo shoot or at the team dinner with the German team, the new winner of the WTA tournament in Bogota spreads a lot of confidence: "Winning a tournament is always something nice. She makes a very positive and relaxed impression "said teammate Jule Niemeier to SID in the run-up to the Billie Jean King Cup in Stuttgart.
Maria traveled to the qualification duel with Brazil on Friday and Saturday (via live stream on tennischannel.com) with a lot of self-confidence - and also gives the rest of the German team an additional boost of motivation. "We were all extremely happy and she was welcomed with open arms. We have a lot of fun and want to create something together here," said Niemeier.
Beatriz Haddad Maia top ranked player of the competition
In Bogota, Maria showed herself from her best side, walked confidently through the tournament and, like last year, secured victory in Colombia. In the final on Easter Sunday, the 35-year-old Wimbledon semi-finalist defeated Peyton Stearns (USA) in three sets and celebrated the third WTA title of her career.
So now a little of Maria's glamor should be transferred to the German team. The task that awaits Captain Rainer Schüttler's team in Stuttgart is by no means easy. The Brazilian squad may be inferior to the German squad, but the best player of the duel serves for the South Americans: Beatriz Haddad Maia is 14th in the world rankings in singles and 20th in doubles. "She's always good for three points ", Shaktler also knows: "We have to crack them somehow."
Top performance from the entire team is required
Anna-Lena Friedsam will make the first attempt on Friday. The 29-year-old was surprisingly nominated by Schüttler for the opening match (4 p.m.) against Haddad Maia - instead of the recently weak Niemeier, who could not be used until Saturday at the earliest. "We made this decision in consultation with everyone - we see the best chances this way," emphasized Schüttler. In the second match on Friday, Maria meets Brazilian number two Laura Pigossi.
The qualifying round of the Billie Jean King Cup: What sounds bulky is actually quite simple in terms of format. Up to four singles matches and - if necessary - a decisive doubles match will be played. The team that gets three wins wins and qualifies for the final tournament, the loser has to fight against relegation in the play-offs.
To prevent that, the German team, which also includes Laura Siegemund and Eva Lys, needs a top performance in Stuttgart. A Tatjana Maria in top form shouldn't hurt.