GB’s uphill task even harder after BJK Cup defeat

Great Britain’s uphill task at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals became even harder after they lost their opening tie against Kazakhstan 2-1 in Glasgow.

Harriet Dart, Britain’s top player in Emma Raducanu’s absence, then lost to Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.

It meant the Kazakhs won the tie before losing the doubles, leaving GB facing elimination before they play Spain.

Kazakhstan face Spain on Wednesday and another victory would mean they win Group C, therefore rendering Britain’s match against Spain on Thursday meaningless in the context of this week’s tournament.

“We’ve still got a match to play for and, how I see it [right now], it’s very much still alive,” Dart said.

“We’ve just got to keep being positive, putting in some good performances out there.

“All we can do is give our very best and whatever happens happens.”

Even though the match result had already been decided, the doubles rubber was still played as it could have an impact on the final group standings.

Doubles specialists Olivia Nicholls and Alicia Barnett were handed their tournament debuts by British captain Keothavong and showed why with a notable 7-5 6-3 win over Kazakh pair Rybakina and Anna Danilina.

The Finals features 12 teams split across four groups, with the winners of the round-robin stage going through to the last four.

In the opening tie of the Finals, Australia won 2-1 against Slovakia after singles victories for Storm Sanders and Ajla Tomljanovic.

The Australians are ranked as the world’s leading team, although these days are without former world number one Ashleigh Barty following her retirement earlier this year.

The United States and the Czech Republic are considered among the favourites – but have been drawn in the same group – while the tournament is lacking star names as only five of the world’s top 20 are playing.

Britain’s uphill task made even harder

Britain did not qualify for the Finals after losing to the Czech Republic in April, instead being given a spot as the host nation when Glasgow was awarded the event.

Anne Keothavong’s team are ranked below group rivals Spain and Kazakhstan and their prospects of causing a shock have been hampered by the absence of star player Raducanu.

The 2021 US Open champion was ruled out by a wrist injury, but the hosts hoped Boulter – who had won seven of her eight previous singles matches in the event – and Dart would fill the void.

Boulter is a player who thrives on the big occasion, illustrated this year by her victory over former world number one Karolina Pliskova at Wimbledon, as well as her impressive record while representing Great Britain.

That looked to be a familiar plotline as she started confidently against Putintseva.

But the 26-year-old faded in the second set and also needed treatment for what she described as a “tight” calf in the decider.

Putintseva, ranked 51st in the world, showed her resilience and quality to fight back, delighting her nation’s noisy travelling band of fans with a 4-6 6-3 6-2 victory.

The mood among the British fans in a 4,300-capacity arena, which was less than half full, had fallen flat – and they hoped Dart could revive the atmosphere.

But the 26-year-old, who has broken into the world’s top 100 this year for the first time, was outpowered by Rybakina’s flat groundstrokes and also hindered by a high number of double faults.

A one-sided first set lasted little over half an hour and, although Dart showed her determination to put up a fight in the second, Rybakina had enough quality to seal a 6-1 6-4 victory.

Analysis

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

The gulf between the singles players was fairly evident in the end, but a sparkling debut by Alicia Barnett and Olivia Nicholls means there is still a little hope for Great Britain.

Anne Keothavong’s team will have the dubious privilege of being knocked out of the same competition twice in a year if Kazakhstan beat Spain on Wednesday.

But if the Spaniards win, then GB will be in with a shot come their final group tie with Spain on Thursday.

Either way, it is best to look upon these Finals as a bonus.

It may prove to be a very brief bonus. And the crowd for the tie with Kazakhstan probably didn’t get into four figures.

But having been beaten by the Czech Republic in the qualifying round in April, Glasgow is at least enjoying the chance to showcase the women’s game at a time of year where tennis is rarely at the forefront of people’s minds.