Holders Italy and Ukraine make strong starts in BJK Cup as USA trail
Belgium's Hanne Vandewinkel saw off USA's Iva Jovic in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers in Ostend (BENOIT DOPPAGNE) Two-time defending champions Italy seized control of their Billie Jean King Cup qualifier against Japan on Friday with Jasmine Paolini and Elisabetta Cocciaretto giving the hosts a 2-0 lead. Ukraine were also 2-0 up against hosts Poland with world number seven Elina Svitolina and 27th-ranked Marta Kostyuk winning their singles rubbers in the southern city of Gliwice. But the United States, record 18-times winners and last year's runners-up, were trailing Belgium 2-0 in Ostend and need to win all three matches on Saturday to advance.
Eighth-ranked Paolini overcame early nerves after dropping serve before dispatching world number 133 Himeno Sakatsume 6-3, 6-1 on clay at Velletri, south of Rome. World number 42 Cocciaretto saw off Japan's 84th-ranked Moyuka Uchijima 7-5, 6-2. "I was a little bit tense and nervous," said Paolini.
"But I managed to stay there. I got better every point and, in the end, I am happy with my first win of the season on clay – it is never easy. “Hopefully, tomorrow will be a short day for us, but we just don’t know.
" Italy are just one point away from qualifying for September's eight-team final in China with doubles and reverse singles, if required, on Saturday. But the United States have all to play for in Belgium with McCartney Kessler retiring in the third set of her marathon clash with Elise Mertens who won 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 3-3. Kessler had beaten Mertens in their previous two meetings but converted just six of her 16 break points in the tie which lasted 2hr 44min before retiring with a back problem.
Earlier 94th-ranked Hanne Vandewinkel got Belgium off to the mark past 16th-ranked Iva Jovic 7-6 (7/3), 6-3. In Astana, Bianca Andreescu pulled 2023 champions Canada level 1-1 with Kazakhstan. Yulia Putintseva had eased past newcomer Kayla Cross 6-3, 7-5.