#Japan edged closer than ever to consolidating their spot in the World Group II for next year’s #FedCup as they stormed to a commanding 2-0 lead over the #Netherlands after the first day of play in Osaka.
Both teams were without their star players; for Japan, the world number one Naomi Osaka, and for the Netherlands, the resurgent Kiki Bertens. And this provided the golden opportunity for the lower-ranked players to step up and conquer the big stages.
No one is ranked inside the top-100 of the singles rankings in this tie, but the teams are made up of talents. Japan fielded the small-sized, but powerful #MisakiDoi and #NaoHibino while #RichelHogenkamp and #BibianeSchoofs represented the Netherlands for the first day of action.
Doi powers through a tricky opening rubber
The relatively fast conditions alongside the exuberant home support was in favour of Doi, who is her country’s highest-ranked player this week. She went up against Richel Hogenkamp, a former top-100 player. The Japanese failed to convert an early break point, but soon surged towards an early 4-1 lead as Hogenkamp struggled to deal with her solid forehands.
Saving a break point, the only one she faced throughout the set, Doi consolidated the break and ultimately claimed the opening set 6-3 without facing much of a hassle.
Doi was absolutely steamrolling through the match, this time opening a formidable 4-0 lead in the second set within a blink of an eye. Consecutive forehand unforced errors then handed Hogenkamp a way back into the match, allowing her to retrieve one of the breaks back.
However, that turned out to be the only occasion where she could celebrate, with Doi holding her nerves and battling a resurgent opponent to give Japan the perfect start into the tie with the terrific 6-3, 6-4 win.
Hibino strolls past Schoofs
Looking to build on her teammate’s impressive victory, Nao Hibino took onto the court to face Dutch number one this weekend, Bibiane Schoofs. Losing just six points in the opening five games, the Japanese opened a huge 4-1 lead and the home fans were certainly enjoying themselves with the lack of stress today.
Schoofs could not get her game going, firing just eight winners and 11 unforced errors throughout the match. Hibino was serving exceptionally well, cruising through the first set 6-1 without facing a single break point.
Hibino blasted 23 winners in the 54-minute encounter, completely outclassing her lower-ranked opponent having lost just three games in the process. She met with some trouble towards the end, but saved two break points from 15-40 down to successfully serve out the match and hand the home nation a 2-0 lead.
Looking forward: Day 2
Entering the second day of the tie, Japan are currently the overwhelming favourites to reclaim their spot in the World Group II next year, with the Netherlands needing something akin to a miracle for a chance to make it competitive.
If there are no changes to the scheduled line-up, Doi will take onto the court against Schoofs in a battle of the nations’ highest-ranked players this week, with the perfect chance to seal the win for her country in comfortable fashion.
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