Billie Jean King Cup: Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter seal Great Britain 2-0 win over Germany, GB face Canada next
By Rhys Jones
Updated 15/11/2024 at 21:42 GMT
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Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter won their Billie Jean King Cup singles matches in straight sets to give Great Britain a 2-0 win over Germany and set up a clash with defending champions Canada. Raducanu won her first match in two months by beating Jule Niemeier 6-4 6-4, and Boulter finished it off with a 6-1 6-1 win over Laura Siegemund in Malaga.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Great Britain soundly beat Germany 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals and set up a clash with defending champions Canada on Sunday.
Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter won both their matches in straight sets in Malaga, with Raducanu beating Germany's Jule Niemeier 6-4 6-4 and Boulter finishing it off with a resounding 6-1 6-1 win over Laura Siegemund.
A large British contingent sporting Union Jacks flags formed a huge portion of the crowd at the Palacios de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena, cheering on the pair.
"I'm a very proud captain. It was a fantastic performance from Emma and Katie this evening," said team captain Anne Keothavong.
"With Emma having been off for a period of time, the way she dealt with everything, it was a good performance. And the way Katie started in this match to get the job done. I couldn't be more proud of them and the others in this team.
"We know Canada are next, obviously we're going for the win. But we're ever so grateful for all the people who have travelled from the UK to support this team. What we really need is for everyone to come back again on Sunday and help us get through it.
RETURNING RADUCANU GIVES GB LEAD
Raducanu was "very proud" to give Great Britain a huge boost in the first round Billie Jean King Cup, beating Germany's Jule Niemeier 6-4 6-4 in Malaga.
In her first match in two months, the 22-year-old put Britain 1-0 up, before Katie Boulter faces Laura Siegemund later on Friday.
The Brit was dominant throughout the two sets despite taking six match points in the second to get the job done.
"I think I played some really good tennis today," Raducanu said. "Playing Jule on an indoor hard court isn't easy. It's a game of holding serve and trying to get a break where you can.
"I obviously haven't played a match in a long time so I think these are sharpness things that come the more matches I play, so I'm very proud of how I regrouped and managed to close out in that final game.
"We had a lot of support, so thanks to everyone over here. Obviously it helps a lot having so much support. And the team - each and every one of us, we're playing our role, we wouldn't be here without every member.
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"I'm very proud of myself but also proud of every team member playing their role as best as possible, sacrificing certain things and hits.
"Especially Anne [Keothavong] for leading us into the finals and starting one love up."
Raducanu was then serenaded by a section of the crowd clad in Union Jacks, who sang 'happy birthday' to her. The 2021 US Open champion turned 22 on Wednesday.
Raducanu had been out injured for almost two months, having played just 34 matches this year after wrist and ankle surgeries ruled her out of much of last season.
But the Brit overpowered Niemeier with a flurry of strong serves, particularly in the first set, and eventually moved ahead in the first break of the match in the seventh game.
Her German opponent forced her to save a whopping five break points in game eight before fending them off and clinching the first set with seven aces.
She then secured an early break in the second set with a commanding return. Niemeier levelled the second set before Raducanu retook control.
The finish was nervy, though, as the former US Open winner wasted five match points before eventually tying up proceedings 6-4 6-4.
Raducanu remains unbeaten for her country in the Billie Jean King Cup this year after she won both singles matches against France in the April qualifiers.
British No. 1 Boulter could double Team GB's lead as she faces Siegemund, with Olivia Nicholls and Heather Watson ready to team up if Germany get a win back.
BOULTER adds the finishing touches with ease
Boulter then ensured Great Britain went through without a hitch as she soundly beat Laura Siegemund 6-1 6-1.
"Obviously I'm thrilled with getting a win for GB today," Boulter said. "These matches mean so much more than all the other ones because you are playing with the flag on your chest."
"It felt good, Emma started us off great which was really nice. For me to come out and have a swing at 1-0 up, it felt great so it's been a really good day for us."
Siegemund immediately broke the british No. 1, but Boulter broke back instantly as she punished the German's poor serve and sudden mistakes.
The Brit was in full control, holding to love in the next game and finding two break points in the third set.
Siegemund continued to succumb on her serve as Boulter's forehand proved much too powerful for the German, wrapping up the first set in under half-an-hour.
The second followed the same theme, Siegemund taking advantage of a poor Boulter start to take the first game but once again conceded five straight.
Siegemund managed to hold in the seventh game to take the score to 5-2 with hopes of sparking a comeback, but Boulter's patience won out and she went right back to frustrating the German.
After a double fault at match point in the final game, Boulter re-gathered herself to slam a cross-court winner and secure a dominant victory for Great Britain.
Great Britain now face defending champions Canada in the last eight.
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