World No. 58 Marie Bouzkova overpowered Brazil’s Laura Pigossi to fire Czechia to within touching distance of victory in the opening Group B showdown of the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifiers.
Bouzkova, playing in front of home fans for the first time in the competition, withstood a spirited second-set comeback from Pigossi to prevail 6-0 7-6(3) in the tie’s first singles match.
The Czech baton now passes to Linda Noskova who knows victory over Beatriz Haddad Maia will propel her nation into an unassailable lead in the tie.
“It’s unreal and I have loved every minute of being here,” said Bouzkova. “Having this match today is just something else and I loved playing in front of the Czech fans. I loved it, and to give my country this point is really special.”
Given her teammates – Noskova, Tereza Valentova, Dominika Salkova and Tereza Krejcova – are all 20 or younger, the 26-year-old Bouzkova is by far the most experienced player in a youthful Czechia squad.
But she very much came to the fore in Ostrava for the 11-time Billie Jean King Cup champions, who built something of a dynasty by winning the competition six times in eight years between 2011 and 2018.
It has been slimmer pickings since, but perhaps this victory lays the foundations for something special in 2025. Czechia are one of 18 nations bidding to finish top of their group and reach the Finals, which will take place from 16-21 September in Shenzhen, China.
That remains the goal of Brazil too, and there is plenty of mileage left in this tie, although they are left relying on world No. 17 Haddad Maia to level matters and send the clash to a crunch doubles match.
Should Brazil recover and claim victory, they will be a step closer to making women’s World Cup of Tennis history by becoming the first South American nation to reach a Billie Jean King Cup Finals.