Tennis: ÖTV women are relegated after a bitter defeat against Mexico

While this relegation was averted last year in Schwechat with a 3-2 win against Latvia, there was a very thin 2-3 defeat against Mexico in the play-off there at the weekend. The Central Americans will take part in the World Group qualification in 2024. As in 2022, the final double was crucial; before that there had been a duplicity of events.

While the first day had already started like last year against the Baltic women with a defeat for Tamira Paszek and a win for Sinja Kraus, the da capo continued on Sunday with a defeat for Kraus and a success for Paszek. And again Kraus and Melanie Klaffner stepped up to make the turnaround perfect. This time, however, Fernanda Contreras and Giuliana Olmos ensured an overall success for the visiting team, winning the final match 6:3,3:6,6:7(6).

Contreras, who was individually coached by Emilio Sanchez, ultimately became the heroine of the Mexicans. Before the doubles triumph with Olmos, she had also won the singles of the two number 1 players after the opening success over Paszek, leaving Kraus behind with 0:6.7:5.6:4. The local hero got off to a brilliant start. “I played really well in the first set – exactly what I wanted to do. She was overwhelmed by the speed I played,” said Kraus.

But then her parents and sisters who were present had to witness the change. Kraus: “She brought back more and more balls. The rallies became longer and longer, she exerted more and more pressure.” The momentum in Kraus’ game was gone, the precision in her shots was gone. In the deciding set an even duel developed, but Kraus only made up for one break against himself. “I simply made too many mistakes in crucial moments,” summed up the 21-year-old.

Paszek then kept her colors in the game with a 7:5.5:7.6:3 battle win against Olmos. In the first set, the Central American equalized a break deficit three times, but the local hero took serve from the 30-year-old a fourth time. In the second set, the Vorarlberg player missed a 4:2 bonus, the decision in the third round brought a break by Paszek to 5:3. She kept her nerve while serving. “Today I gained a few more gray hairs,” said the winner afterwards.

She played more actively than the day before and tried to get into the ball. “That gave me a lead. I really fought my way back in, was patient and tried to stay calm.” The support from the ÖTV bank, family and friends helped her a lot. Paszek: “I had complete support from the team in crucial moments. No matter where I looked, fists could be seen – a mega-positive atmosphere.”

The doubles were not for the faint of heart. Kraus/Klaffner got off to a very good start with a 3:1, but the remaining games in the first set all went to Contreras/Olmos. After a break against themselves in the second set with their backs against the wall, the ÖTV duo visibly improved and equalized in sets. Klaffner continued to lead the hosts’ game, Kraus improved enormously as the game continued. The decision was as close as possible, with a two-point tiebreak.

The draw for the next phase of the Billie Jean King Cup will take place on November 26th. The Europe/Africa Zone I is played in tournament form, and from there the return to the play-off phase is usually a tricky undertaking.