Spain does not raise its head, immersed in a bad dream from which it cannot wake up. From stumble to stumble. Since the old Federation Cup was left behind and the current format was inaugurated in 2021, the Billie Jean King Cup has not been able to overcome the group barrier and, instead, has accumulated disappointments: Prague, Glasgow, Seville and now, Malaga. The crossing with Poland was not easy, led by that Everest that rises every time Iga Swiatek appears on the other side of the net, and this was demonstrated by the development of a series that depended largely on what could happen in the duel opening. Scratch there, in case logic prevailed in the second turn, and take a chance in the doubles. There was no need to play it: 0-2.
Sara Sorribes debated against Magda Linette tooth and nail, for almost four hours, but ended up giving up after having enjoyed a 3-0 lead in the final set: 7-6 (6), 2-6 and 6-4 (in 3h 51m). Once the Valencian, a guerrilla by race, was defeated, Badosa later had one of those unappealing dances, with Swiatek, and although she also managed to delay the outcome, she followed the same path as her partner (6-3, 6-7(5) and 6 -1, in 2h 38m) once the physical deposit began to decrease. The Catalan was celebrating her 27th birthday and the Spanish captain, Anabel Medina, received a tribute in the form of goodbye, after seven years on the bench. There will be relief.
“I think it’s time and that the players still need new faces, fresh air. Everything has its stages and I think it is the right time to put this end to rest and let others come, because our tennis has other players who can do perfectly what I have done like Carla. [Suárez] or Garbine [Muguruza]”, noted the coach. “I am convinced that Spain can win this sooner rather than later, so we are going to continue working and I think it will come soon,” Badosa said optimistically. The fact is that Spain, five-time champion of the competition, has not won the title since 1998 and has not reached the quarterfinals since 2017. In the last four editions, more defeats (4) than victories (3). Poor baggage.
Eliminated a year ago by Canada, a posteriori champion, Spain succumbs this time to Poland, which will face the Czech Republic this Saturday in the quarterfinals (17.00, Movistar+), while Japan will do so against Italy. The other two crossings are Canada-Great Britain and Australia-Slovakia.
