Holders Swiss beaten by Czechs in BJK Finals opener, Slovenia beat Australia

SEVILLE (Agencies): Reigning champions Switzerland suffered a 3-0 defeat by Czech Republic in their opening match of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals after last year’s runners-up Australia also lost their opening group match in Seville on Tuesday. It always looked like being a tough start for the Swiss against the 11-time winning nation and so it proved. A gripping battle between two 18-year-olds ended with Czech Linda Noskova edging out Celine Naef 7-6(2) 4-6 6-4 after recovering from 4-1 down in the deciding set. World number 23 Marie Bouzkova then beat Viktorija Golubic 6-4 6-4 in the second singles to give the Czechs a decisive lead in the Group A clash. Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova rounded off a 3-0 win with a doubles triumph against Golubic and Jil Teichmann. The Czechs rested Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova after her late arrival from the WTA Finals in Cancun. The United States are the other team in Group A.

The competition began earlier in the day with Slovenia beating Australia 2-1 in Group B. Kaja Juvan got outsiders Slovenia off to a flyer with a 6-4 6-1 defeat of a rusty Ajla Tomljanovic. Former French Open semi-finalist Tamara Zidansek then overcame Daria Saville 6-1 6-4 to give Slovenia an unassailable lead. “It’s really special to share this moment with the team,” Zidansek said. “I’m really, really happy with how composed Kaja and I stayed on court today. We both showed a great level.” The Australian pairing of Storm Hunter and Kimberly Birrell did win the doubles rubber against Veronika Erjavec and Ela Milic but they are already up against it in the group. “I mean, it’s a do-or-die isn’t it? It’s all or nothing,” Australia captain Alicia Molik said of Thursday’s clash with Kazakhstan who are the other nation in Group B. The 12 qualifying nations are split into four sections of three with the group winners progressing to the semi-finals.