Muchova brings Czechia closer to victory in the Billie Jean King Cup
Karolina Muchova, world number eight, defeated the Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina this Sunday (48) by 6-2 and 6-3, in a match of one hour and 10 minutes, and advanced to the Czech Republic in the final of the Billie Jean King Tennis Cup.
On the indoor hard court of the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center Arena, in China, Muchova confirmed her status as favorite in the first confrontation between the two and He left his country one victory away from winning its twelfth title, the first since 2018.
Muchova cemented her victory on a serve that Kalinina never threatened. The Czech hit eight aces, won 82% of her service points and did not concede any breaking balls throughout the match.
Kalinina began by holding her serve, but was subjected to the rest from the third game, the longest of the first set. Muchova bided her time for ten points and attacked the Ukrainian’s slow second serve with a parallel forehand winner to get the first break.
The Czech confirmed the advantage with ease and used all her variety to prevent her rival from finding rhythm. She alternated deep shots with drop shots, climbs to the net and serves that Kalinina could barely return, especially when the world number eight opened the angles.
Muchova broke again to lead 5-2 thanks to a dropshot from the right that left Kalinina without time to respond and she then closed the first set in 33 minutes, without facing any moment of real danger.
The Ukrainian resisted better at the beginning of the second set and stayed ahead until 2-1, but still could not find answers to her rival’s serve. Muchova won 93% of the first serve points in that set and waited until the fifth game to strike again.
The Czech then got the break after varying the pace with her sliced backhand and confirmed the advantage with another game dominated from the serve. Kalinina saved a new break opportunity to get closer to 3-4, although she could not extend the match much longer.
Muchova chained an ace to move within one game of victory and finished the rest of the match with two forehand winners. He converted four of his five breaking balls and won 61 of the 99 points played.
“I think I served pretty solidly and that was one of the keys,” Muchova explained on the court.
The Czech admitted that she felt nervous before opening the final, but highlighted the support of her teammates and the team’s rituals in the locker room. “We sing and dance, and that’s how everything goes,” he said.
Linda Noskova (6), Wimbledon champion, will have the opportunity to close the tie in the second singles against Elina Svitolina, world number seven. If the Ukrainian wins, the trophy will be decided in the doubles match.
