Rybakina Triumphs as Kazakhstan Dominates Australia in BJK Cup
The BJK Cup qualifiers kicked off this Thursday. In the opening match of Group D in Brisbane, Australia hoped for a strong home start against Kazakhstan.
Currently without Daria Kasatkina due to administrative reasons, the Oceanian nation took to the court with Maya Joint, who faced off against Yulia Putintseva in the opening match.
However, the world No. 23 was ruthless in this first encounter, cruising to a straightforward victory (6-2, 6-1) against Joint, securing the first point for Kazakhstan. Next, Elena Rybakina had the chance to clinch the win for her country in the second singles match against Kimberly Birrell.
In a slightly tighter contest than the first, Rybakina, ranked 10th in the WTA, still prevailed in straight sets (6-3, 7-6). Kazakhstan thus claimed the first point in the group, and both teams will now face Colombia, which enters the competition this Friday, April 11, against Kazakhstan.
The third and final qualifying match in the group will take place in two days, on Saturday, April 12, between Australia and Colombia.
Features - Saudi Arabia, injuries, war, and business: the fascinating underbelly of tennis revealed by TennisTemple 
Davis Cup: between reforms, criticism and national culture 
The paradox dividing tennis: exhausted players and a saturated calendar, yet ever more exhibitions 
Training future champions: spotlight on the decline of the French public model facing private academies 