Slovenia and the Czech Republic posted victories on Tuesday as the Billie Jean Cup finals got underway in Seville, Spain.
The Czechs swept defending champion Switzerland 3-0 to begin action in Group A, while Slovenia downed Australia 2-1 in the first match of Group B.
Twelve teams are divided into four groups to begin the event with round-robin play. The winner of each group will advance to play in the semifinals on Saturday, and the final is scheduled for Sunday.
Each match consists of two singles match followed by a double match.
Linda Noskova pulled out an opening victory for the Czech Republic on Tuesday, edging Switzerland’s Celine Naef 7-6 (2), 4-6, 6-4. Marie Bouzkova then secured the team win by topping Viktorija Golubic 6-4, 6-4. In the doubles match, the Czech duo of Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova defeated Golubic and Jil Teichmann 7-6 (3), 6-2.
Slovenia also wrapped up its series in singles, as Kaja Juvan beat Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4, 6-1 before Tamara Zidansek got past Daria Saville 6-1, 6-4. Australia got a consolation win in doubles, as Kimberly Birrell and Storm Hunter downed Veronika Erjavec and Ela Nala Milic 7-5, 6-7 (2), 10-5.
Group C opens on Wednesday with Spain opposing Canada, and Group D also begins with France facing Italy.
Billie Jean King Cup group standings
Group A
1. Czech Republic, 1-0
2. United States, 0-0
3. Switzerland, 0-1
Group B
1. Slovenia, 1-0
2. Kazakhstan, 0-0
3. Australia, 0-1
Group C
T1. Spain, 0-0
T1. Canada, 0-0
T1. Poland, 0-0
Group D
T1. France, 0-0
T1. Italy, 0-0
T1. Germany, 0-0
–Field Level Media
