3:0 against Serbia

ÖTV women now fighting for first place after victory

Tamira Paszek(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Austria's tennis women are fighting for first place at the Europe-Africa Zone I tournament in the Billie Jean King Cup in Oeiras. In their first match of the second group phase, the ÖTV team beat Serbia 3-0 on Friday and will now fight for the tournament title against the Netherlands on Saturday. Team captain Marion Maruska's squad had already secured their promotion to the play-off in the fall on Tuesday.

Tamira Paszek defeated Elena Milovanovic 6:4, 6:3 in the opening singles. "I was totally happy with my performance, I implemented the match plan well and played solidly," said the Vorarlberg native. Sinja Kraus then went on to win against Mia Ristic with a similarly commanding 6:2, 6:4. "I'm very happy with my performance. I started late in both sets, but I didn't let myself get rattled and had the ball well on the racket. I'm very happy that we won and will play for the group win tomorrow," said Kraus.

Sinja Kraus(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Last but not least, the Austrians, who were again without the injured Julia Grabher and had also used their Thursday off for a trip to Lisbon, won the doubles with Melanie Klaffner/Tamara Kostic. The duo beat Milovanovic/Ristic 6:3, 4:6, 10:8.

The Dutch women had defeated Serbia 2:1 on Thursday. Suzan Lamens (WTA-164th), Anouk Koevermans (WTA-385th), Eva Vedder (WTA-413th) and Demi Schuurs (WTA doubles 10th) are in the line-up. "It won't be easy, but we are ready and motivated to come out on top," said Kraus. And Paszek added: "We can go into the last match with a lot of positive energy and good self-confidence."