Croatian women’s tennis team beats Serbia to secure Billie Jean King Cup promotion playoff

by croatiaweek
April 17, 2022
in Sport

The Croatian women’s tennis team has beaten Serbia at the Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas Europe/Africa Group I event in Antalya on Saturday to secure a place in the play-offs for the first time in over a decade.

Croatia and Serbia ended the week in second place in Pools A and B, respectively.

Croatia beat Sweden (3-0), Bulgaria (3-0), Georgia (3-0), and Austria (2-1), and lost to Slovenia (2-1) to finish second to set up today’s promotional play-off.

World junior no.1 Petra Marčinko was first on court for Croatia and put them 1-0 up when she beat Lola Radivojević – 6:1, 2:6, 6:0.

In the second match, Petra Martić sealed victory for Croatia when she beat world no. 117 Aleksandra Krunić – 4:6, 7:5, 6:4.

Captain Iva Majoli was extremely happy with the result achieved in Turkey this past week.

“After ten long years, we managed to qualify for the playoffs for the group above. We gave Petra Marčinko a chance, I felt that she was in the best form with Petra Martić. I think she has a top career ahead of her and I’m glad she’s already become part of the team. Along with Ana Konjuh and Donna Vekić, who have been with us for ten years, Petra Martić is here again, so I believe that in the next few years we will play in full force and can bring joy to Croatia as like our Davis Cup players,” Majoli told HTS.

Croatia now moves through to the play-offs which will take place in November. The draw will be made at a later date.