The weather armageddon that has been affecting various regions of Spain for several days has complicated the Polish women's match in the 1/8 finals of the Billie Jean King Cup. The original clash with Spain was scheduled for Wednesday, but was moved to Friday. First, Magda Linette had a dramatic fight – almost four hours long – with Sara Sorribes Tormo, ending with victory. Then Iga Świątek defeated Paula Badosa, also after a three-setter.
This is how Spain reacted to Świątek's victory. “Wakes from sleep”
Both matches were extremely exciting, but ultimately, after two singles victories, the Polish team advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will face the Czechs. However, the Spanish media appreciate the attitude of their players.
“The victory of Iga Świątek against Paula Badosa after a very fierce match and high quality tennis,” emphasizes the local Eurosport in the match summary. “The Spanish started well, winning the first three service games, but as soon as the Pole got her first break, Badosa fell a bit and lost the first set. Świątek remained persistent. She was leading in the second set 3-0, but Paula gave her all. She recovered and won the third set. Finally, the world number two won the third set, in which she dominated from the beginning to the end, never giving up. The Pole showed her best tennis in this set, leaving Badosa no doubts,” they concluded.
“The morning started the worst, with the cruel defeat of Sorribes Tormo. A very tight match, in which details decided. Spain had to swim against the tide from the beginning. With the score 1-0, the entire responsibility fell on Paula Badosa. It was a very difficult undertaking, because she was facing Świątek. The Spaniard showed the will to fight and kept her face despite all the doubts she had about her tennis, especially in the second set, which ended with a tie-break victory, but ultimately she succumbed to her higher-ranked rival,” we read in the ABC newspaper, which emphasizes that Iga Świątek saddened Malaga, which lost its national team.
“Świątek confirms Poland's victory over Badosa and wakes up Spain from its dream of the Billie Jean King Cup” – this is the title that welcomes us on the RTVE television portal. “Badosa took on the world number two, but ultimately lost in three sets. The Spaniard was up to the challenge, but she was as lucky as Sara Sorribes a few hours earlier in the match against Magda Linette,” we read further.
The Spanish media unanimously emphasize the fight of their representatives. The match between Sorribes Tormo and Magda Linette was called “titanical”, and the tennis players from the Iberian Peninsula wore a black ribbon and the inscription “Fuerza Valencia” on their shirts, giving comfort to the mourning region.
“It wasn't supposed to be like this. Spain, host of the Billie Jean King Cup, lost to Poland. It cannot be said that Anabel Medina's team did not give their all, but sometimes, especially in sports, it is not enough. Sorribes' defeats against Linette and Badosa with the world's second best, Świątek thwarted the Spanish dream,” notes the website Articulo14, which emphasizes that Paula Badosa did not get herself a gift for her 27th birthday, although “at times it was the best version of this tennis player.”
In the quarterfinals of the BJK Cup, the Polish team will play against the Czech Republic. This meeting will start on Saturday at 17:00.