Prague (NWN) – Russia brought Canada down to earth in their Billie Jean King Cup tie 3-0 on Tuesday.
Canada’s confidence was boosted a day earlier when it upset defending champions France, but Russia was very strong with all its players in the top 50.
Daria Kasatkina defeated Carol Zhao in straight sets and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova defeated Rebecca Marino 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to win.
“In the second set, the chances (to win) were 50-50 and I am happy with the third set,” Pavlyuchenkova said.
Russia’s dominance in doubles came to an end as Veronika Kudermatova and Lyudmila Samsonova defeated Gabriela Dabrowski and Marino 6-3, 6-1.
Russia completed Group A against France on Wednesday.
The 12 teams in the final are divided into four groups of three teams. On Friday, only the group winners will advance to the semi-finals.
In Group B, 2019 runners-up Australia defeated Belgium 2-0 to open their account.
Following Daria Gavrilova’s three-set win over Grete Minon, 131st-ranked Storm Sanders defeated 18th-ranked Alice Mertens 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-0 on debut. Sanders converted his second match point with the last of his 35 winners.
“It was a most incredible feeling, I’m still trembling,” Sanders said.
Australia will next face Belarus on Thursday. Belgium beat Belarus 2-1 on Monday.
Later on Tuesday, the United States started against Slovakia, while Germany played Switzerland.
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