Billie Jean King Cup: German tennis team around Niemeier before

The German tennis players are in the qualification of the Billie Jean King Cup by a opening defeat against the Netherlands. The team of Captain Rainer Schüttler was already in the duel with the host with the host with 0: 2 behind.

At first Jule Niemeier lost after a very weak performance against the world rankings 265. Eva Vedder in the Hague 3: 6, 1: 6. Afterwards Tatjana Maria lost in a much better and competitive match Suzan Lamens 6: 3, 3: 6, 5: 7.

Finally, Laura Siegemund and Anna-Lena appear in doubles. Schüttler had dispensed with a nomination of Eva Lys for the game against the Netherlands, the German number one fired with a thick scarf around the neck.

Clear victory against Great Britain mandatory for the last chance

In order to qualify as the best of the three teams for the final round in mid -September in Shenzhen in Chinese, the German team must now clearly win against the favorite Great Britain on Friday. This also requires a suitable victory of the British in the duel with the Netherlands on Saturday.

If the selection of the German tennis federal government misses the qualification for the finals, the playoffs will be against relegation in November.

Too many mistakes from Niemeier

At the start, Niemeier started nervously, lost her first service game and conceded a total of four breaks in the opening set. The former Wimbledon quarter-finalist dictated the pace of the rallies, but made too many slight mistakes. In the next round nothing went together. “She just played better in the second,” said Niemeier. The 25 -year -old Dortmundin at times discussed with the referee and had to give up after 83 minutes.

The 37 -year -old Maria was on the pitch significantly longer. In the decisive sentence of the balanced match, she was already 4: 5 behind with a break, but fought back again. Afterwards, however, Maria immediately released her serve, and one last rearing was in vain.