Without their respective number 1 players, the women’s teams from Austria and Mexico will duel in Schwechat this weekend for promotion to the qualifying round of the Billie Jean King Cup for women’s tennis.
After Julia Grabher’s absence from this international play-off match had been confirmed for some time due to a wrist injury, Renata Zarazua, Mexico’s number one, is now also out. The world rankings 165. is at an ITF tournament in South America.
This means that the Viennese Sinja Kraus is ranked 192nd. the top player at this event in the multiverse just outside Vienna. By winning the title last week at a $40,000 sand event in Heraklion, she achieved her greatest success to date just before her home appearance. “Winning the tournament means a lot to me. I played against very good players. I’m very, very happy that I was able to show my level consistently and I’m taking a lot of self-confidence into this week,” said Kraus.
Kraus with good memories of Schwechat
ÖTV captain Marion Maruska was only able to confirm this in an interview with the APA on Wednesday. “A win is always something that gives you self-confidence. Above all, Sinja also has good memories of the Billie Jean King Cup here last year,” said Maruska, referring to the 3-2 win against in Schwechat a year ago Latvia. This not-quite-on-paper victory meant they went on to defeat the USA in the qualifying round of the World Group in Delray Beach in April, where they finished 0-4.
Now the first two steps towards the final tournament of the traditional team competition, which is currently being played in Seville this year, are taking place at home again. Maruska sees the red-white-red’s chances only improved “by a touch” due to Zarazua’s absence. “I still believe that they are a very equal opponent who should not be underestimated.” The Austrians have been training on site since Tuesday. In addition to Kraus, Tamira Paszek, Melanie Klaffner and debutant Tamara Kostic are there.
Lineup still open
Maruska did not want to commit to the line-up yet; the draw is scheduled for Friday (11 a.m.). However, the 50-year-old made it clear that the doubles match would come down to Kraus/Klaffner.
“They are not seeded. But they made the decisive point last year (against Latvia, note). They often played together and are well-coordinated.” In any case, Kraus is ready. “Things have worked out quite well with Meli, in the last two weeks there was one final and one semi-final.”
The 21-year-old is described by Maruska as her leading player, even though Paszek and Klaffner, aged 32 and 33, have a much longer history in this competition. “As number one, you are always the leading player. That’s a different role, it’s less about age. Routine is very important. But she also has routine in this competition.” Kraus actually already has 18 matches in the Billie Jean King Cup, with a balance of nine wins and nine losses each.
Mexico player with a connection to Austria
Mexico’s current leading player is Fernanda Contreras Gomez. The 26-year-old is currently only 365th in the ranking, 23 places ahead of Paszek, but in February she was at 165. Giuliana Olmo’s personality is interesting and probably dangerous. The 30-year-old was born in Schwarzach in Tyrol, her grandmother is Austrian and her father is half-Austrian. In terms of sport, she stands out in doubles as No. 25, Olmos was already sixth in the world rankings.
And Mexico’s captain Agustin Moreno is apparently inclined to bring Olmos in individually too. “She is very experienced,” explained the coach. “She hasn’t played that much singles, but she’s a very good singles player.”
Specifically, Olmos has seven wins and eight defeats in the individual competition. Julia Garcia Ruiz and Alejandra Cruz Granados, who came from college tennis, were strong junior players, are without a WTA ranking, but according to Moreno are at the top 400 level.
2023-11-08 15:07:36
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