Sonay Kartal delivered a stellar performance on her debut to give Great Britain a 1-0 lead over Germany in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifying. Kartal managed to overcome the powerful play of an emotional Jule Niemeier, winning 6-4, 6-2 in the Netherlands. The 60th-ranked Kartal showcased excellent movement on the clay court, consistently outlasting Niemeier in long rallies from the baseline.
The match saw Kartal adapt quickly to the high pace of Niemeier's game, with seven breaks of serve in the first set. Kartal had the chance to serve for the set at 5-3 but was broken, yet Niemeier's two double faults allowed the Briton to clinch the opener. Niemeier, visibly upset after dropping the set, struggled throughout and covered her face with a towel as her frustration grew.
Kartal continued to dominate in the second set, stringing together five consecutive games to take a commanding 2-0 lead. She tactically redirected Niemeier's pace and maintained control, eventually serving out for a decisive victory. Reflecting on her performance, Kartal expressed pride in her debut, admitting that the nerves of being the opening match player were challenging, but she was pleased with how she handled the pressure.
Looking ahead, British number one Katie Boulter will aim to seal the tie for Great Britain when she faces Tatjana Maria in the second singles match. The doubles team of Olivia Nicholls and Harriet Dart will then take on Germany’s Laura Siegemund and Anna-Lena Friedsam. With Germany having lost 3-0 to the Netherlands on Thursday, they now face a tough task to qualify for the finals, while Great Britain continues its bid for a spot in the September finals.
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