The team led by Mercedes Paz will seek to take one more step towards the finals of the competition.
After finishing in second place in group Americas I, Argentina qualified for the Playoffs of the Billie Jean King Cup, the “World Cup” of women’s tennis. Today the crosses of that instance were drawn, and it was determined that the rival will be Brazil.
The Argentine team, captained by the Tucumán Mercedes Pazwas made up, in the American zone, of Lourdes Carlé (82nd in the WTA ranking), Julia Riera (94th), Martina Capurro Taborda (162°), Juliet Stable (387°) and Luisina Giovannini (624°). However, for the series against Brazil, they would already be available Nadia Podoroska (66°) and Solana Sierra (175°), which would allow an even more competitive team.
Brazil, for its part, has the stellar figure of Beatriz Haddad Maia14th in the world. Laura Pigossi (124°) and Carolina Alves (349°) usually complete the call, in addition to the double players Luisa Stefani (10th in the world in the specialty) and Ingrid Gamarra Martins (57°).
The series will be played between November 15 and 17, with a best of five matches: two singles matches will be played on the first day, and another two on the second. If necessary, a doubles match will be played to define the winner. Brazil will be the venue, since the last crossing between the two was the one held in November 2022, in Tucumán. On that occasion, it was the Brazilians who took the victory; Now, the Argentines will seek revenge, to qualify for the Qualifiers, the last instance prior to the Finals of the competition.
Cerúndolo struck the blow and is in the quarterfinals of Madrid
The dream week of Francisco Cerúndolo At the Masters 1000 in Madrid he continues. The Buenos Aires tennis player, 22nd in the world ranking, hit against Alexander Zverev (5th), whom he beat 6-3 and 6-4, and reached the quarterfinals.
Cerúndolo was already coming off a very good victory over Tommy Paul (16th) in the third round, although the duel with Zverev appeared to be much more complicated. Above all, due to the good yields of the German in brick dust; In fact, he was twice champion of the Madrid competition.
However, Cerúndolo played one of the best games of his life, and ended up defeating his rival. Dominating with his very powerful forehand, and with great work through drop shots, the Argentine was very solid throughout the match, especially in his serve games (he was not broken in service, and he barely faced two points of break). Thus, he sealed his victory and his place in the quarterfinals.
It is Cerúndolo’s eighth victory over a Top 10, and the second best in terms of ranking of his rival: it is only surpassed by his success against Casper Ruud (he was 3rd) in Barcelona, in 2022. In addition, he reached the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 for the fourth time in his career. His next rival will be the American Taylor Fritz13th in the ranking.
