Preview: Kazakhstan v Slovenia

 

Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals debutants Slovenia have already caused a huge stir in Seville by beating Australia. Their memorable week could become historic on Friday if they beat Kazakhstan, which will guarantee they qualify for the semi-finals for the first time ever. 

 

It is all the more impressive as they are the lowest-ranked team at the Finals, with everything to prove. They have done that emphatically so far.

 

Kazakhstan stand in their way and still have it all to play for. Despite losing to Australia 2-1 on Thursday, they remain in with a shot of topping the group if they defeat Slovenia. They too have never reached the semi-finals before, so are aiming for a historic run to the knockouts. 

 

Group B has already seen seven-time champions Australia lose out on the chance of progressing beyond the round robin stages. 

This is the first meeting between Kazakhstan and Slovenia in Billie Jean King Cup.  

 

While Slovenia have never reached the Finals before, last year Kazakhstan exited during the groups after losing 3-0 to Spain to finish bottom of their group.

 

With world No 4 Elena Rybakina managing a back injury, Yulia Putintseva has taken the reins for Kazakhstan. She won the only point for her team on Thursday, by beating Kimberly Birrell 6-0 7-5. 

 

It helped keep her team alive in the competition, and Putintseva's experience as Kazakhstan's all-time third-best performing player will help her under pressure. Apart from Rybakina, she is the highest-ranked player in singles across both teams. 

 

But Kaja Juvan and Tamara Zidansek will both be feeling confident, as both won their singles matches on the opening day of the competition, delivering against traditionally strong Australian opponents. They will be key to Slovenia's success.

Kaja Juvan: "I think that we've always been considered an underdog anywhere. I would say coming from a small country, people don't expect our success, and it's normal, because the conditions are a little bit worse than maybe in some big country that has a more established system.

 

"I'm really proud to come from Slovenia. There is only two million of us. I think as a country we are doing exceptionally well in sports everywhere. We always have an extra motivation. Through the matches we have shown that we belong here."

 

Putintseva on the Kazakh support: "There are some fans that they are really noisy. But they are like artists. They are making music.  I think they are doing a great job. Cannot say that they are like noisy, noisy."