Number 1 in Brazil and 17th in the WTA rankings, Bia ended the match 2 sets to 1, with splits of 3/6, 7/5 and 6/2, in 2h36min; earlier, Laura Pigossi was surpassed by Solana Sierra
Brazil’s biggest hope in the , suffered this Friday (15), at the Ibirapuera Gymnasium, in São Paulo, but sought a comeback against Jazmin Ortenzi, 274th in the ranking, to tie the confrontation with Argentina, in the playoffs of the competition that is considered the World Cup of women’s tennis. Bia saved two match points in the second half before starting her reaction and winning by 2 sets to 1, with partials of 3/6, 7/5 and 6/2, in 2h36min. The number 1 in Brazil and 17th in the ranking, the highest ranked tennis player in the match, faced difficulties in the first and second sets. However, he reacted intensely from the end of the second half.
Under pressure, she avoided defeat by saving two match points from the Argentine, after losing 5/2. In the third set, she took off on the court and obtained Brazil’s first victory in the best-of-five-game series with Argentina. With the result, the match is tied at 1-1. Earlier, Laura Pigossi was beaten by Solana Sierra, also coming from behind, 2-1 – 3/6, 6/1 and 6/2. The duel will be decided this Saturday (16). Brazil needs two victories to confirm its favoritism and return to compete in the qualifying phase of the Billie Jean King Cup next year. This Saturday, on the Ibirapuera clay, the clashes will be reversed. Bia will open the day, at 2 pm, against Solana.
Next, Laura will face Jazmin. If necessary, the doubles match will feature Bia and Ingrid Martins against Martina Taborda and Melany Krywoj. As happened in the confrontation with Germany, in April, in the same Ibirapuera, Bia showed tension and a little nervousness in the first set. The fluctuations paved the way for the Argentine to impose herself on the court. Jazmin took advantage of the favorable moment and opened 4/1. The Brazilian reacted and returned the break. But he lost his serve again afterwards. In a more balanced end to the set, Bia even saved a set point, but without preventing her opponent from winning the partial.
The unexpected setback seemed to have affected Brazil’s number 1. Irregular, she suffered two breaks of serve in a row, seeing the Argentine open 4/0. And, as happened in the initial set, the home tennis player showed a reaction, this time more intense. She saved two match points, reducing her rival’s advantage to 5/4. Afterwards, she sought a draw and closed the set. The big turnaround, supported by the Brazilian fans, boosted Bia’s confidence on the court. And it affected Jazmin’s concentration. The home tennis player had no difficulty opening 3/1. With ease, he maintained the advantage and obtained another break to seal the victory on his fourth match point.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
Published by Matheus Lopes
