Spain was left out of the new Billie Jean King Cup Finals after losing in both singles matches in the second Group C tie against the 18-time tournament champion United States. The National Team needed to win at least one set in those matches to maintain remote qualification options for Friday’s semifinals (one of which will be played by the USA and Russia) with a hypothetical 2-0 victory later in the doubles, but both Nuria Parrizas and Sara Sorribes were not able to add that sleeve that would have given hope to the Navy.
The duel was played by competition rule, because it could affect the final order of the group (Spain finished third), but otherwise it was inconsequential. They played it and beat Dolehide and Vandeweghe (6-3 and 6-4) Rebeka Masarova and Aliona Bolsava, the only ones left to participate and who were called urgently, shortly before the trip to Prague. The farewell at the majestic O2 Arena, with little public, was doubly bitter, for the team and for Carla Suárez, who will not return to a tennis court, at least as a professional. Although she was honored at the end of the series with a video and a bouquet of flowers. He leaves with his head held high after an extra year that he earned after overcoming cancer.
Parrizas, a 30-year-old from Granada and 66th in the world, showed her face in her first category match before falling 6-4 double against Sloane Stephens, winner of the US Open in 2017. “It was my first time here, in front of a very tough player, and she managed the important moments better. She didn’t overwhelm me, I failed,” he explained, and he was right, because he managed to break her five times the American serve, but accumulated 37 unforced errors. “Despite the defeat, I am happy for the opportunity they gave me. It was something very special to be able to fight for my country. “ to a tennis player from whom perhaps a little more was expected and who sometimes suffers these blows, as happened in the US Open against the British Emma Raducanu, ultimately champion. Nor did he deserve to leave the competition like that, but sport has these things.
Heads and tails
The company was not easy without the two best players in the ranking, Garbiñe Muguruza and Paula Badosa, who got off the expedition to prepare for the WTA Finals next week in Guadalajara (Mexico). And Spain won at least last Monday the tie against Slovakia, which in turn could with the United States although it did not help them to have options to pass. If he gave a little more chance to the girls captained by Anabel Medina, who did not have their day against a powerful rival, even with his B-team, without Serena Williams, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula or Madison Keys. Those who were faced, like Medina with his decisions. This Wednesday he played it with Parrizas instead of Carla, perhaps because the Canarian was seen with a lack of rhythm on Monday and because he had a very adverse face-to-face against Stephens (0-4). In any case, all of them had earned the opportunity because, in addition, they wanted to be and probably will also be when Spain has to play the qualifying rounds for the 2022 Finals, whose draw will be held this Saturday.
Results, standings and schedules of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.