Israel opened its Europe/Africa Zone Group I matches in Eilat on the right foot
on Wednesday, beating Turkey 2-1.
The morning ties were all postponed on
Wednesday due to the rare storm that struck Israel’s southernmost city and the
blue-and-white’s encounter began an hour late until the courts were finally
deemed ready.
Julia Glushko, ranked No. 181 in the world, was far
from her best against Pemra Ozgen (284) in the opening match, but still managed
to tough out a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Shahar Pe’er (91) encountered far more
trouble against Cagla Buyukakcay (163), eventually claiming a 1-6, 6-1, 7-6 (3)
win after coming back from 2-5 down in the third set and saving a match point in
the 10th game.
Pe’er and Glushko were rested in the doubles match, with
new Israel captain Amos Mansdorf electing to use Keren Shlomo and Valeria
Patiuk, who lost 6-2, 6-1 to Basak Eraydin and Ipek Soylu.
After barely
overcoming the weakest team in Pool C, Israel faces Romania and its three top-50
players, Sorana Cirstea (27), Irina-Camelia Begu (47) and Simona Halep (49) on
Thursday.
Romania lost 2-1 to Poland on Wednesday.
Only the pool
winner will progress to a tie against the first-place finisher in Pool A for a
place in April’s World Group II playoffs.
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