Prague, November 6 (BNA) Daria Kasatkina gave Russia a 1-0 lead over Switzerland in the Billie Jean King Cup final on Saturday with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Gil Tishman.
The Russians are just one win away from their fifth title in the competition formerly known as the Fed Cup. Switzerland has not yet won the title.
Russia’s Lyudmila Samsonova will face Tokyo Olympic singles champion Belinda Bencic in the second singles match before the doubles competitions.
In a dominant display, Kasatkina broke a forehand to win a break point in the seventh game of the second set which she converted to lead 4-3.
She wasn’t able to hold her serve in the next game but got another 5-4 break before serving up on her first match point.
The Russian broke into the first set, breaking Tishman three times and dropping her serve once.
Daria Kasatkina gave Russia a 1-0 lead over Switzerland in the Billie Jean King King Cup final on Saturday with a 6-2 6-4 victory over Gil Tishman.
The Russians are just one win away from their fifth title in the competition formerly known as the Fed Cup. Switzerland has not yet won the title.
Russia’s Lyudmila Samsonova will face Tokyo Olympic singles champion Belinda Bencic in the second singles match before the doubles competitions.
In a dominant display, Kasatkina broke a forehand to win a break point in the seventh game of the second set which she converted to lead 4-3. She wasn’t able to hold her serve in the next game but got another 5-4 break before serving up on her first match point.
Russia reached its first final since 2015 in the competition won in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008.
The Swiss reached the final for the first time since they finished second in 1998, their only final appearance
The 12 teams in the finals were divided into four groups of three teams. Only the group winners qualified for the semi-finals on Friday.
Russia dominated Group A at the tournament after defeating defending champions France and Canada before eliminating the United States in the semi-finals.
The United States is the most successful country in the competition with 18 titles.
Switzerland qualified for the semi-finals of Group D, considered the most difficult of the tournament, defeating both the Czech Republic and Germany on the way.
In the semi-finals, the Swiss team swept Australia 2-0, winning both individual matches.
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