The first day of Fed Cup 2018 has been conducted, with interesting results in the World Group.
Belarus v Germany:
The first match was an even contest with which to begin, Aryna Sabalenka unable to seize a break point on the Tatjana Maria serve, and equally difficult for the German to make inroads on the Sabalenka delivery.
The single chance in the opening set was, however, converted by Tatjana and she took the lead 6-4.
From there the winners flowed for Sabalenka as she turned the match on its head.
In set two, the Belarusian hit 13 winners to none and feasted on three break points from four chances while facing no break points on her own serve.
Another demolition in the final set, with a further 20 winners to 1, and Belarus was up 1-0.
Sabalenka won 4-6 6-1 6-2.
Germany evened the score in match two thanks to Antonia Lottner, ranked 149, who upset Aliaksandra Sasnovich, ranked over 100 places higher, 7-5 6-4.
Czech Republic v Switzerland:
Petra Kvitova eventually defeated Viktorija Golubic, but not before the Swiss player took the second set 6-1, forcing Kvitova to refocus.
The second serve of each player was important in the decider, Kvitova winning 38% of points on hers, and Golubic a mere 11% on hers.
Kvitova won 6-2 1-6 6-3.
Barbora Strycova was more ruthless in the second match, putting the Czech Republic up 2-0 with her 6-2 6-4 win over Belinda Bencic.
Belgium v France:
The opening matches went to the favourites.
Belgium’s Elise Mertens took little work to defeat Pauline Parmentier 6-2 6-1.
Then France made it 1-1 after Kiki Mladenovic won 6-2 6-4 over Kirsten Flipkens.
Netherlands v USA:
After Venus Williams met USA expectations, defeating 124th ranked Arantxa Rus 6-1 6-4, Coco Vandeweghe ran into trouble against Richel Hogenkamp, the number 108 player in the world.
Vandeweghe was down a set and a break before the revival came.
A tie break was managed following two breaks of serve each in set two, and the American prevailed eight points to six.
The decider saw the Dutch player fade after a great effort, and Coco won 4-6 7-6(6) 6-3
The USA 2-0.
Australia, on home soil against the Ukraine in World Group Ii, have struggled on Day One.
Ash Barty lost her first set against Lyudmyla Kichenok, ranked 883 in the world, before winning in three sets.
Dasha Gavrilova, however, was sent packing by 15 year old Marta Kostyuk.
The Aussie number two will need to improve quickly before the Day Two reverse singles are here.
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