Fed Cup

04/17/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/17/2021 11:22

Rybakina puts Kazakhs in control in Cordoba

Elena Rybakina overcame Argentina No. 1 Nadia Podoroska 6-4 6-4 to give Kazakhstan a 2-1 lead in the Billie Jean King Cup Play-off in Cordoba.

Podoroska came into the weekend with high hopes. She was playing on her favourite surface, upon which she reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros last year, and, what's more, she was on home soil.

Nevertheless, she has two defeats in singles, which has left her team in a precarious position against a talented Kazakh team.

The third singles match of this tie was not one that was dominated by either player, but Rybakina seemed to be more comfortable on the clay of the Cordoba Lawn Tennis Club.

The first set remained on serve until 5-4, when Rybakina upped her intensity and broke at the crucial point of the set.

In the second set, Podoroska lost her serve in the fourth game, before breaking back to take the score to 4-5. The Argentine couldn't feed off the home atmosphere and was broken again to decide the match.

Kazakhstan need just one more point to clinch a spot in the Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas Qualifiers in 2022. Argentina now has no room for error.

Lourdes Carle will look to keep home hopes alive in the fourth singles match against Yulia Putintseva.