Tennis
From Monday, Austria’s women will be contesting an international match at the Billie Jean King Cup (formerly Fed Cup) in Turkey for the first time after a two-year CoV break. In Serik, captain Marion Maruska’s team is fighting for relegation in Europe-Africa Zone I. An intensive program awaits, until Friday there will be duels with five teams in Pool B from 9.00 a.m.
The first game is against Bulgaria on Monday. The other opponents are Slovenia (Tuesday), Georgia (Wednesday), Sweden (Thursday) and Croatia (Friday). In addition to Julia Grabher (WTA No. 152) and Barbara Haas (238), Maruska also has Sinja Kraus (403), Melanie Klaffner (585) and Tamira Paszek (725) available in Turkey.
“Our minimum goal is to stay up in the league, and fourth place would be enough for that,” said Maruska. In fifth or sixth place there would be another chance with crossover games with the last two in Group A, the losers are relegated to Europe-Africa Zone II. The winners of the two groups and the winner of the duel of the runners-up qualify for the play-off in November. In any case, the Austrians are also prepared for a sixth international match, it’s a very strenuous program either way.
Melzer as support
ÖTV sports director Jürgen Melzer, who “wants to support Maruska with everything possible”, also traveled to Turkey. “Of course, four eyes see more than two.” Melzer has worked with Haas himself before and has known Paszek, who is also on the team, for a very long time. “I think I’ll definitely be able to give one or the other input that can help.”
In any case, Maruska, who will make the decisions as captain, is optimistic: “Our ladies are all in pretty good shape.” Alongside Croatia and Slovenia, Bulgaria and Georgia are roughly equal. If Johanna Larsson is not called up for Sweden, Austria is to be favored in this duel.
