- In the qualification for the Billie Jean King Cup, Switzerland is behind 0-2 against Poland after the first day.
- In the first singles, Simona Waltert had to admit defeat to world number 1 Iga Swiatek.
- Céline Naef then sniffs the equalizer, but loses to Magdalena Frech in three sets.
The Poles proved to be an expected tough nut to crack on the opening day of the Billie Jean King Cup qualification in Biel. Both Simona Waltert and Céline Naef had to bow to their significantly better ranked opponents. This means that Captain Heinz Günthardt’s team has their backs to the wall.
Naef in particular delivered an extremely combative performance and came close to a coup against Magdalena Frech. The 18-year-old from Schwyz (WTA 148), currently the best-ranked Swiss in the absence of the pregnant Belinda Bencic and the injured Viktorija Golubic, lost to the Pole, who was almost 100 places higher, 7:6 (10:8), 5:7, 3:6 .
Naef got off to a good start against Frech, who was 8 years older. In the first set she didn’t let herself be disconcerted by a lost 3-0 lead. At 5:5, the woman from Schwyz fended off 3 break points and also showed strong nerves in the tiebreak: In this she used her 3rd set point to make it 10:8 and take the set lead 1-0.
Two points were missing from victory
Everything was open for a long time in the second round before Naef managed the first break of the set to make it 5:4. Afterwards she was two points short of victory, but Frech turned around with her back against the wall and forced a deciding set after another break.
In this, Naef made a break as early as possible, but had to give it up immediately. The woman from Schwyz worked like crazy, but conceded the decisive break to make it 2:4. In an intense game, Frech put the lid on the first match point after 2:52 hours.
Waltert is in a losing battle
Simona Waltert (WTA 158) was able to offer significantly less resistance in the opening game against Poland’s team leader Iga Swiatek. In the duel with the four-time Grand Slam winner and reigning world number 1, Waltert held up well at times, but was unable to prevent the 3:6, 1:6 defeat. After 1:24 hours, the Chur woman had to congratulate her opponent, who was one year younger, on her victory.
The game started very badly for Waltert. The 23-year-old had to give up her service in her first service game. The Swiss subsequently found her way into the game better, but after the break to make it 2:3 she had to accept the immediate re-break.
Also in the second round, Waltert immediately gave up her serve. In the second game, world number 158 had the best phase of the game. But despite 3 break points and a few points worth seeing, she didn’t manage to break again. Swiatek pulled away and clearly won the second round.
This is how it goes
After her exhausting duel against Frech, Naef will be challenged again early on Saturday. From 1:00 p.m. she will meet Swiatek (live on SRF two) and will need a small miracle so that the decision is not already made.
2024-04-12 17:10:00
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