Kazakhstan is the first country to qualify for the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals and it's mostly thanks to Elena Rybakina.
Two teams that will be playing in the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals from November 7th to 12th, were already known before the qualifiers began. Those countries are last year's champions Switzerland and runner-ups Australia. Nine more teams can join them through the qualifiers and the first of those is Kazakhstan.
Eighth-seeded Kazakhstan had an advantage of the choice of ground against Poland, which they clashed with at the National Tennis Centre - Beeline Arena in Astana, Kazakhstan. The tie was played on the clay courts and it was marked mostly by the absence of the world no. 1 Iga Swiatek who couldn't help her country.
On the other hand, Kazakhstan was led by their highest-ranked player Elena Rybakina, who proved to be crucial in overcoming Poland. On Friday, Yulia Putintseva started the tie with win over Magda Linette as the Kazakh won 7-5, 6-3.
Then, Rybakina took on world no. 253 Weronika Falkowska, who was surely happy with the match that she played against the reigning Wimbledon champion, but the world no. 7 eventually won 6-3, 6-4. After the match, Rybakina was happy about the win and also joked about possible celebratory dance of her country.
“Well, I didn’t make such a promise. I think it was about winning the women’s world cup of tennis should we get to the main stage. If we win there, of course we’ll have to dance.”
“Magda is a rather difficult player, so it will definitely be a difficult game. I hope that today’s match will allow me to feel more confident tomorrow. I will prepare and hope that I will be able to win.”
And Rybakina had no difficulties with taking the confidence from her Friday's match to Saturday. She took on Magda Linette, who had a difficult task to save Poland, and after an hour and 23 minutes, Rybakina comfortably won 6-4, 6-2 to send Kazakhstan into the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
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