GREAT Britain will have the chance to test itself against world number ones and reigning Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup champion Canada after sweeping Germany in the first round of the BJK Cup Finals overnight. Taking place in Malaga Spain, Great Britain needed just over three hours to secured the victory with a full-strength squad too deep for the Geramans.

Former US Open winner Emma Raducanu fought through a tough challenge against opponent Jule Niemeier 6-4 6-4 in an hour and 55 minutes before top ranked Brit Katie Boulter completely dismantled Laura Siegemund. The Top 30 talent ran out a 6-1 6-2 victor in just 70 minutes on court to seal their spot against Canada.

Raducanu was in fine form on serve, producing 10 aces and winning 76 per cent of her first serve points, while Niemeier served nine double faults to just one ace. She managed to stick with the Grand Slam champion, but could only break twice from eight opportunities as Raducanu converted four of her 13 break point chances. She also hit 10 less unforced errors (21-31) and only three less winners (15-18) in the victory.

Boulter never looked like losing despite only running at a 53 per cent serving efficiency. She won 75 and 60 per cent of her first and second serve points and smacked 12 winners to seven, while committing just 17 unforced errors to Siegemund’s 29. Boulter also broke five times from seven chances compared to the German’s one from four.

Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong said the nation would not rest on its laurels and was eyeing off going all the way.

“For me to be able to captain the team of incredible women, and for Katie to lead the way she does, and to have Emma back in the team, playing great tennis, given the circumstances over the last few weeks, I feel like I’m in a very fortunate position,” Keothavong said.

“I said it at the start, before the competition started, I really believe that we can win this. I don’t have a problem saying that out loud, because we’ve got quality players who have shown in their own right what they’re capable of.”

OTHER RESULTS

Poland managed to overcome world number five Spain in its first round clash, but neither contest was simple. Despite boasting the clearly higher ranked player in both singles matches, world number two Iga Swiatek and world number 38 Magda Linette combined for six hours and 29 minutes on the court.

Linette overcame 106th ranked Sara Sorribes Tormo in an epic three-hour and 51-minute battle, 7-6 2-6 6-4 before Swiatek sealed the tie with a strong finish against former world number three now 12th ranked Paula Badosa, 6-3 6-7 6-1 in two hours and 38 minutes.

After such a tiring battle, Linette said she totally expected it to be a grind with the way Sorribes Tormo stays in rallies and refuses to give in.

“I want to be happy and I want to cry at the same time”, she said. “I’m really proud because it was really tough circumstances. I felt responsibility and felt I had to deliver. I hate playing Sara so much. I knew it was going to take me four hours and it did.”

The victory meant Poland now advances to take on the Czech Republic in the quarter finals which promises to be a tantalising matchup. Though Linette’s time on court might seem excessive to backup, the Pole’s have Magdalena Frech waiting in the wings as the nation’s second highest ranked player.