China took another significant step towards the Fed Cup World Group II play-offs as they recorded a 3-0 victory over South Korea in Pool B of the Asia/Oceania zone in Kazakhstan on Thursday to maintain their perfect start.
Zheng Saisai was first on court but the WTA World No.42 did not have things easy against Jang Su-Jeong, a player ranked more than 200 spots below her. Indeed, the higher-ranked player dropped the opening set before coming through, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.
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Zhang Shuai, meanwhile, swept past Han Na-Lae, 6-0, 6-4, before returning to court to take the doubles rubber alongside Yang Zhaoxuan.
In the pool’s other tie, Indonesia eased to a 3-0 win over Pacific Oceania.
Pool A top seed Kazakhstan were not in action, clearing the way for India and Thailand to play out an epic tie.
There were three-set victories for Nudnida Luangnam and Ankita Raina in the singles, leaving the match evenly poised for the doubles, which was ultimately taken by the Indians after a long three sets last two-and-a-half hours.
In Group I of the European zone, the action began in with Pools A and B, which were played in Zielona Gora, Poland.
Top seeds Ukraine were the first winners of the day, overcoming Bulgaria 2-1. Marta Kostyuk took the first rubber against Isabella Shinkova, 7-5, 6-4, before Viktoriya Tomova hit back by beating Kateryna Kozlova, 6-3, 6-2. Nadiya Kichenok and Kostyuk paired up to win the doubles to overcome Shinkova and Tomova, 6-0, 7-6(0).
Elsewhere in Pool B, Sweden, who upset Ukraine on Wednesday, retained control of the group by overcoming Estonia 2-1 in a match settled by Rebecca Peterson and Johanna Larsson in the decisive set of the doubles rubber.
You guys were amazing 💪💪🇬🇧🇬🇧👊#HomeTie#FedCup#BackTheBrits#TeamGB
📸: @BritishTennis pic.twitter.com/RwDyjuYuBg— Johanna Konta (@JohannaKonta) February 7, 2019
Meanwhile, Great Britain maintained their perfect record after a hard-fought tie against Greece. Backed by singles wins from Johanna Konta and Katie Boulter, Britain swept the contest 3-0.
“I don’t think there’s much better than that - in this kind of arena, in front of this kind of support,” Konta told FedCup.com. “I’ve played on all the center courts at all the Grand Slams, but this is definitely what you look for in a match.
“You look for a competitive match against a really great player, you look for it to go to the wire and look to be in front of a crowd that are so behind you and so invested in the match and who are living it with you. It was a complete pleasure to be out on court.”
Boulter opened the scoring for Britain, claiming the win against Valentini Grammatikopoulou 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, then Konta continued the streak with a win over Greek No.1 Maria Sakkari 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. Finally the doubles team of Katie Swan and Harriet Dart completed the hattrick.