Faraj Benlahoucine, Media365, published on Sunday November 17, 2024 at 11:07 p.m.
The Billie Jean King Cup French team, trailing 2-1 in Colombia, equalized at 2-2 through Clara Burel. However, the decisive double won by the South Americans sent the Blue to the second division.
Traveling to Bogota, the Billie Jean King Cup French team no longer has the right to make mistakes. The day after the two singles, giving rise to a parity score (1-1), Camila Osorio gave Colombia the advantage back. On clay where she triumphed this season on the WTA circuit, the 63rd in the world dominated Varvara Gracheva in 1h35 with a score of 6-2, 7-5. The latter, a substitute, replaced Diane Parry at short notice, a last-minute withdrawal, weakened in the knee. Faced with the mistress of the place, the Habs simply were no match.
Outclassed, she was overwhelmed in return of service. Too often at fault to tie the match (43 unforced errors), Varvara Gracheva resisted in the second set, notably dismissing a match point with a superb passing at 5-4. However, in the wake of her break she lost her serve again. A boon for Camila Osorio who was quick to convert her second opportunity to close the debates. Colombia, on a favorable ballot, was therefore awarded a match point.
Osorio brought Colombia all three points
However, Clara Burel kept France alive. The one on whom the last French hopes rest got the better of Emiliana Arango in 1h15 (7-5, 6-4). An incredible match during which the two players confiscated each other’s serves in the first ten games! The Breton nevertheless raised the bar at the very end of the first round before dominating the second act. The Colombian, clearly inferior, only placed three winning shots in the second set. Julien Benneteau’s players equalized at 2-2their destiny in the Billie Jean King Cup was then decided during the decisive doubles.
A match of the utmost importance for which both captains changed their plans. In good form, Clara Burel was started by Julien Benneteau to the detriment of Varvara Gracheva while the South Americans left Maria Paulina Perez Garcia and Yuliana Lizarazo in the stands for the benefit of the best Colombian, victorious in her two singles, Camila Osorio, and Emiliana Arango. In front of their home crowd, the Colombians took the match in the right direction. They simply never trailed and ended up winning 6-3, 6-4 in 1h16. The French women are therefore demoted and will absolutely have to win in their first match in 2025 to earn the right to replay the climb. A joy that Colombia had not known for 21 years.
