Perfect start for GB
HEATHER WATSON helped Team GB to a perfect Fed Cup start as they eased past Portugal, as expected, on the opening day in Estonia yesterday.
The British quartet are seeded to qualify from Europe/Africa Zone Group One and certainly, there are few who expect them to have any problems clearing the first hurdle and winning Pool B.
But they still had to turn reputation into wins, which both Watson and Johanna Konta did in fairly comfortable fashion on the hard indoor courts of Tallinn.
Both of the country’s two best players won their singles rubbers in straight sets, with Sarnian Watson being pushed the harder of the two.
However, despite world No. 796 Francisca Jorge making a battle of it in the opening set, she still did not have enough to keep the pressure on and it was No. 74 Watson celebrating a 6-4, 6-2 victory.
‘I was happy to get through today. I started a bit nervous, it is a very different feeling playing for your country, a different kind of pressure,’ said Watson.
‘My opponent played really well. I had no idea who she was or how she played, she came out swinging today and hit a lot of winners, she was certainly better than her ranking.
‘All in all, I am very happy to have won my first tie.’
Konta then sealed the tie with an emphatic 6-1, 6-0 victory over Maria Joao Koehler.
Throw in a doubles win for Katie Boulter and Anna Smith to round off a whitewash, and it sets the Brits up for tomorrow’s encounter with Estonia in which a win will see them qualify for the weekend’s play-offs.
