Billie Jean King Cup: Danger of relegation: German tennis women under pressure

Also against Denmark on Thursday

In order to qualify for the next round, the DTB selection must come first in the group and be among the top three teams in the knockout phase. The last group opponent after the double against the Swedes is Denmark on Thursday. Even further relegation is possible after the mixed opening day.

Things got off to a successful start for the German women in Oeiras. At the start, Noma Noha Akugue won the first singles against Matilde Jorge 6:4, 7:5. Ella Seidel then surprisingly lost the second singles against Francisca Jorge 2:6, 5:7. In the decisive doubles, Tessa Johanna Brockmann/Akugue finally lost to the Jorge sisters 1:6, 5:7.

Seidel prevents second defeat

Against Sweden, Noha Akugue lost to her rival Caijsa Wilda Hennemann 6:7 (6:8), 4:6. Seidel then clearly prevailed 6:1, 6:3 against outsider Kajsa Rinaldo Persson in front of a very sparse crowd. Only with a win in the doubles will there still be a chance of reaching first place in the group, which is necessary for promotion.

For the new head coach Beltz and his barely experienced team, there is a risk of further relegation in Portugal. The DTB selection was recently relegated from the world group of the Billie Jean King Cup. Eva Lys is missing from Beltz and his team this week.