Defending champions Belarus have endured a mixed opening day of their Fed Cup world group tie.
Taking on Germany in Minsk, Aryna Sabalenka got her country off to a strong start. The world No.63 recovered from a set down to defeat Tatjana Maria 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. A player participating in her first Fed Cup tie since 2011.
“That was such a tough match, she made me play really well,” Sabalenka told FedCup.com. “I didn’t expect her to come to the net most points, so I’m happy I managed to adapt and win the second and third sets. I’m confident and I enjoyed playing a match like that.”
Maria, who is yet to win a main draw match on the WTA Tour this season, drew positives from her defeat.
“Sabalenka is an extremely aggressive player. She also played a very good match and at the end she was just that little bit better,” an upbeat Maria concluded after her loss.
“I was a little bit unlucky to lose my serve at the start of the second set and then she started to gain confidence. It was very tight, I didn’t feel like it was a 62 third set.”
The German team battled back to draw level with the help of Antonia Lottner, who is making her competition debut at the age of 21. Lottner, who hasn’t won a tour title for almost 18 months, stunned world No.46 Aliaksandra Sasnovich 7-5, 6-4.
“I feel amazing,” she said after the win. “It’s my first Fed Cup match and I got the win for my team today. I’m super happy, so proud.”
All to play for in France
At the Le Vendéspace France are level-pegging with Belgium. Australian Open semifinalist Elise Mertens continues her strong start to the year with a clinical 6-2, 6-1, win over Pauline Parmentier. The world No.20 dropped her serve only once as she fired 22 winners past her opponent to score a point for Belgium. France was able to respond with the help of Kristina Mladenovic, who dismissed Kirsten Flipkens 6-2, 6-4, in the second match.
“This is my environment,” Mladenovic told FedCup.com afterwards. “Pressure is an obstacle that I don’t fear at all.”
The second day of Fed Cup competition will feature back-to-back singles matches followed by the doubles.
