Slovenija obstala korak pred ciljem, Španija napreduje na zaključni turnir | Slovenia falls just short, Spain advances to the Finals

Slovenski ženski teniški reprezentanci žal ni uspelo pripraviti preobrata v kvalifikacijah za pokal Billie Jean King. Po izenačenem prvem dnevu (1:1) so bile danes uspešnejše Španke, ki so dobile oba obračuna in si zagotovile napredovanje na zaključni turnir.

Španke v Portorožu boljše od Slovenk. (Foto: Vid Ponikvar)

Odločilni dan se je začel z dvobojem dvojic, kjer sta Veronika Erjavec in Nika Radišić nastopili proti španski navezi Aliona Bolsova / Sara Sorribes Tormo. Prvi niz je bil izjemno izenačen, Slovenki pa sta imeli pri rezultatu 4:4 na servis nasprotnic veliko priložnost za preobrat, ko sta prišli do treh zaporednih break žogic (0:40), a jih nista izkoristili. Španki sta nato v naslednji igri odvzeli servis in niz dobili. V drugem nizu sta nadzorovali potek igre in ga dobili s 6:3.

Kmalu zatem je na igrišče stopila še Erjavčeva, ki se je pomerila z Kaitlin Quevedo. Slovenka je tekmico nedavno premagala v Dubrovniku, tokrat pa je bila uspešnejša Španka. V prvem nizu je Erjavčeva vodila že s 5:2, vendar je Quevedo uspela izenačiti in niz dobiti po podaljšani igri. V drugem nizu sta bili igralki izenačeni do 2:2, nato pa Slovenki ni več uspelo osvojiti igre.

Španija se tako veseli skupne zmage in uvrstitve na zaključni turnir pokala Billie Jean King, medtem ko Slovenija kljub borbeni predstavi ostaja brez napredovanja.

Kvalifikacije za zaključni turnir pokala Billie Jean King

SLOVENIJA – ŠPANIJA 1:3
Petek:
Tamara Zidanšek – Kaitlin Quevedo 6 : 4, 2 : 6, 0 : 0, b. b.
Veronika Erjavec – Leyre Romero 6 : 4, 6 : 3.

Sobota:
Veronika Erjavec/Nika Radišić – Aliona Bolsova/Sara Sorribes Tormo 4:6, 3:6
Veronika Erjavec – Kaitlin Quevedo 6:7(4), 2:6
Kaja Juvan – Leyre Romero

Slovenia falls just short, Spain advances to the Finals

The Slovenian women’s tennis team fell just short of completing a comeback in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers. After an even first day (1–1), Spain proved stronger on the second day, winning both matches to secure a place at the Finals.

The decisive day began with the doubles match, where Veronika Erjavec and Nika Radišić faced the Spanish pair Aliona Bolsova and Sara Sorribes Tormo. The opening set was extremely close, with the Slovenian duo holding a golden opportunity at 4–4 on their opponents’ serve, earning three consecutive break points at 0–40. However, they were unable to convert. In the following game, the Spaniards broke serve and went on to win the set. They maintained control in the second set, sealing it 6–3.

Shortly after, Erjavec returned to the court to face Kaitlin Quevedo. The Slovenian had recently defeated her in Dubrovnik, but this time the Spaniard came out on top. Erjavec led 5–2 in the first set, yet Quevedo mounted a comeback and claimed the set in a tiebreak. The second set remained level at 2–2 before the Spaniard took control, with Erjavec unable to win another game.

Spain thus celebrates the overall victory and qualification for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, while Slovenia, despite a determined performance, misses out on advancing.