Nice Britain’s uphill process on the Billie Jean King Cup Finals turned even tougher after they misplaced their opening tie in opposition to Kazakhstan 2-1 in Glasgow.
Katie Boulter was unable to rise to the event like she has so typically, dropping the primary match to Yulia Putintseva.
Harriet Dart, Britain’s prime participant in Emma Raducanu’s absence, then misplaced to Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.
It meant the Kazakhs gained the tie earlier than dropping the doubles, leaving GB going through elimination earlier than they play Spain.
Kazakhstan face Spain on Wednesday and one other victory would imply they win Group C, due to this fact rendering Britain’s match in opposition to Spain on Thursday meaningless within the context of this week’s match in Glasgow.
“We have nonetheless obtained a match to play for and, how I see it [right now], it’s totally a lot nonetheless alive,” Dart mentioned.
“We have simply obtained to maintain being constructive, placing in some good performances on the market.
“All we will do is give our absolute best and no matter occurs occurs.”
Though the match outcome had already been determined, the doubles rubber was nonetheless performed because it may have an effect on the ultimate group standings.
Doubles specialists Olivia Nicholls and Alicia Barnett have been handed their BJK Cup debuts by British captain Anne Keothavong and confirmed why with a notable 7-5 6-3 win over Kazakh pair Rybakina and Anna Danilina.
The Finals options 12 groups break up throughout 4 teams, with the winners of the round-robin stage going by way of to the semi-finals.
Within the opening tie of the Finals, Australia gained 2-1 in opposition to Slovakia after singles victories for Storm Sanders and Ajla Tomljanovic.
The Australians are ranked because the world’s main group, though as of late are with out former world primary Ashleigh Barty following her retirement earlier this 12 months.
America and the Czech Republic are thought of among the many favourites – however have been drawn in the identical group – whereas the match is missing star names as solely 5 of the world’s prime 20 singles gamers are competing.
Britain’s uphill process made even tougher
Britain didn’t qualify for the Finals after dropping to the Czech Republic in April, as an alternative being given a spot because the host nation when Glasgow was awarded the occasion.
Keothavong’s group are ranked beneath group rivals Spain and Kazakhstan, with their prospects of inflicting a shock being hampered by the absence of star participant Raducanu.
The 2021 US Open champion was dominated out by a wrist harm, however the hosts hoped Boulter – who had gained seven of her eight earlier singles matches within the occasion – and Dart would fill the void.
Boulter is a participant who thrives on the massive event, illustrated this 12 months by her victory over former world primary Karolina Pliskova at Wimbledon, in addition to her spectacular document whereas representing Nice Britain.
That appeared to be a well-known plotline as she began confidently in opposition to Putintseva.
However the 26-year-old light within the second set and in addition wanted remedy for what she described as a “tight” calf within the decider.
Putintseva, ranked 51st on the earth, confirmed her resilience and high quality to combat again, delighting her nation’s noisy travelling band of followers with a 4-6 6-3 6-2 victory.
The temper among the many British followers in a 4,300-capacity area, which was lower than half full, had fallen flat – and so they hoped Dart may revive the ambiance.
However the 26-year-old, who has damaged into the world’s prime 100 this 12 months for the primary time, was outpowered by Rybakina’s flat groundstrokes and in addition hindered by a excessive variety of double faults.
A one-sided first set lasted little over half an hour and, though Dart confirmed her dedication to place up a combat within the second, Rybakina had sufficient high quality to seal a 6-1 6-4 victory.
Evaluation
BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller
The gulf between the singles gamers was pretty evident ultimately, however a glowing debut by Alicia Barnett and Olivia Nicholls means there’s nonetheless slightly hope for Nice Britain.
Anne Keothavong’s group can have the doubtful privilege of being knocked out of the identical competitors twice in a 12 months if Kazakhstan beat Spain on Wednesday.
But when the Spaniards win, then GB will probably be in with a shot come their last group tie with Spain on Thursday.
Both means, it’s best to look upon these Finals as a bonus.
It could show to be a really transient bonus. And the group for the tie with Kazakhstan most likely did not get into 4 figures.
However having been overwhelmed by the Czech Republic within the qualifying spherical in April, Glasgow is no less than having fun with the possibility to showcase the ladies’s recreation at a time of 12 months the place tennis is never on the forefront of individuals’s minds.
