Press releases

MINSK, 8 February (BelTA) – The Belarusian women’s national tennis team, without Victoria Azarenka, defeated Canada 3-2 in the first round of the 2016 Federation Cup World Group II, BelTA has learned.

On the first day of the competitions in Quebec Belarus’ world number 99 Alexandra Sasnovich saw off Canada’s Francoise Abanda (World No.343) 6-4, 2-6, 6-3. Olga Govorstova (74) lost to Canada’s Aleksandra Wozniak (803) 2-6, 2-6.

The second day started with Olga Govortsova’s another defeat to Francoise Abanda 4-6, 4-6. In the final singles match Alexandra Sasnovich (99) defeated Aleksandra Wozniak 6-4, 6-4 tying the score between Belarus and Canada 2-2. The decisive point was collected in the doubles encounter where Olga Govortsova and Alexandra Sasnovich were too strong for Carol Zhao and Gabriela Dabrowski, 6-2, 6-4.

World number 14 Victoria Azarenka was unable to come to Quebec. Substitute Nika Shitkovkaya was included into the roster instead of her. However, neither Nika Shitkovkaya nor Vera Lapko played against Canadians as captain Eduard Dubrov decided to use more experienced players.

The Belarusian team will compete in World Group Playoff with one of the World Group first round losers in April 2016. Belarus’ rivals can be Romania (lost to the Czech Republic 2-3), Germany (lost to Switzerland 2-3), Italy (lost to France 1-4), or Russia (lost to the Netherlands 1-3).

Competing in the World Group Playoff, apart from Belarus, will be Australia, the United States and Spain.