{"id":283749,"date":"2025-11-14T10:38:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-14T10:38:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/283749\/"},"modified":"2025-11-14T10:38:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T10:38:12","slug":"australia-earns-billie-jean-king-cup-victory-over-portugal-maya-joint-and-kim-birrell-claim-wins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/283749\/","title":{"rendered":"Australia earns Billie Jean King Cup victory over Portugal, Maya Joint and Kim Birrell claim wins"},"content":{"rendered":"

Teenage sensation Maya Joint and Kimberly Birrell have spearheaded Australia to an opening-day win over Portugal in the Billie Jean King Cup play-offs in Hobart.<\/p>\n

World number 95 Birrell got past number 255 Matilde Jorge 6-4 6-4 in Friday’s first singles match, before Australia’s top-ranked woman Joint followed suit.<\/p>\n

Number 32 Joint, who has surged up the rankings in 2025, beat 202-ranked Francisca Jorge 7-5 7-5 at the same venue where she made the Hobart International semi-finals in January.<\/p>\n

Nineteen-year-old Joint, who has broken through with two titles this season, was shaky early and had her serve broken in the opening game but regrouped, saving a break point at 4-4 in the second set before breaking to win the final game.<\/p>\n

“I was pretty nervous going into the match but it feels really special to win for Australia. It’s a different feeling to winning a normal match,” Joint said.<\/p>\n

“She came out strong and I’m just glad that I found my rhythm towards the end.<\/p>\n

“I just tell myself to play to win, don’t play not to lose. Just keep swinging for the ball.”<\/p>\n

The two singles wins gave Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead over Portugal in Friday’s tie ahead of the doubles fixture and put them atop Group E before further weekend action.<\/p>\n

The winner of Group E, featuring Australia, Portugal and Brazil, will make the qualifying round stage in April with spots in the September finals up for grabs.<\/p>\n

ABC Sport Daily podcast<\/a><\/p>\n

ABC Sport Daily is your daily sports conversation. We dive into the biggest story of the day and get you up to speed with everything else that’s making headlines.<\/p>\n

Portugal plays Brazil on Saturday, before Australia meets Brazil on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Birrell raced to a 5-1 lead in the opening set against Jorge before persistent drizzle forced play to be halted for about an hour.<\/p>\n

She lost the next three games, but regained her nerve to serve out the set 6-4.<\/p>\n

Birrell broke for a 4-3 lead in the second set after several rain interruptions, before again closing it out 6-4.<\/p>\n

“We were prepared for it, we saw those dark clouds coming in. I was able to find the balance of staying calm and staying focused,” Birrell said.<\/p>\n

Breaks off court included meeting the new baby of team captain Sam Stosur, who is on maternity leave but was watching from the stands.<\/p>\n

“I tried not to get too distracted by that. She’s very, very cute,” Birrell said.<\/p>\n

Australia were runners-up in 2019 and 2022 in the Billie Jean King Cup and haven’t won the team event since 1974 when it was known as the Fed Cup.<\/p>\n

AAP<\/p>\n

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