The Albany Gazette - Osaka, Swiatek shine at BJK Cup

Four-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one Osaka last played for Japan in the competition in 2020 since when she has become a mother.

In Tokyo, the 26-year-old defeated Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) to give Japan a commanding lead after team-mate Nao Hibino had beaten Anna Danilina 6-1, 6-0 earlier in the day in their qualifying clash.

Osaka said she was "super-nervous" about playing in Japan for the first time since appearing at the Pan Pacific Open in September 2022.

She soon found her rhythm in the match, hitting 15 aces and no double faults.

"I'm the kind of person that I don't like to disappoint people," said Osaka.

"I feel like I came here to do a job and obviously I want to do well.

"It would probably devastate me a lot more to lose here than it would to lose in a regular tournament, just because I want to support everyone as much as they support me."

Osaka, whose world ranking has risen from 831 to 193 since she began her comeback, has not given up hope of making the Paris Olympics later this year.

However, she may need to go through an appeals process to secure a spot after failing to make a mandatory two appearances in the BJK Cup during the current Olympic cycle.

World number one Swiatek, back on national duty for the first time since 2022, eased past 158th-ranked Simona Waltert 6-3, 6-1 to give Poland the lead over Switzerland in Biel.

Magdalena Frech made it 2-0 with a come-from-behind 6-7 (8/10), 7-5, 6-3 victory over 18-year-old Celine Naef.

Poland are bidding to reach the finals in November for the third time.

Switzerland were 2022 champions when they defeated Australia in the final inspired by Belinda Bencic.

However, Olympic champion Bencic is currently off tour after announcing in November last year that she was pregnant.

- Australia on top -

Seven-time champions Australia seized control of their qualifier against Mexico in Brisbane despite losing Storm Hunter on the eve of the tie to a serious Achilles injury.

Samantha Stosur, in her first match as captain, picked Hunter as her number two singles player, but she suffered a ruptured tendon during a practice session.

"I am devastated and heartbroken," said Hunter, the world's number three doubles player, who will now almost certainly miss the Paris Olympics.

Daria Saville stepped in and blew Marcela Zacarias off court 6-1, 6-0 in under an hour to put Australia within reach of the season-ending finals in Seville.

In the first singles rubber against an understrength Mexico, Arina Rodionova opened her first BJK Cup tie in eight years with a battling 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 win over Giuliana Olmos.

France, the three-time champions, are level 1-1 with Great Britain in Le Portel.

World number 49 Diane Parry gave France the lead with a surprisingly easy 6-2, 6-0 win over 28th-ranked Katie Boulter.

Former US Open winner Emma Raducanu, back in the side after an injury-plagued season, pulled Britain level with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over French number one Caroline Garcia.

In all, eight BJK Cup qualifying ties take place this weekend with the winners advancing to the 12-team finals in where they will join hosts Spain, defending champions Canada, 2023 runners-up Italy and wild-card Czech Republic.

Eighteen-time champions United States host Belgium in Orlando with their challenge spearheaded by world number five Jessica Pegula.

Ukraine are playing their home tie against Romania in Florida as they attempt to reach the finals for the first time.

Slovakia lead Slovenia 2-0 in Bratislava while Brazil host Germany in Sao Paulo.

The ties are completed on Saturday with two reverse singles and a doubles rubber.

(P.Davis--TAG)