Fed Cup round-up: Konta edges past Kontaveit
World No. 11 Johanna Konta secured a playoff spot for Great Britain in the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Europe Africa Zone Group I as she beat Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit in three sets.
Konta’s 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2 win means that Great Britain will face Hungary for the right to play for a place in World Group II next season.
Although the Wimbledon semifinalist broke her opponent’s serve in the first game of the match, it was the Estonian who edged the first set; but Konta regained the momentum and continued to threaten the Kontaveit serve.
"I'm very happy to have just come through"
A happy @JoKonta91 on giving GB the win over Estonia in the @FedCup! pic.twitter.com/Jvr2HBH0qt— British Tennis (@BritishTennis) February 9, 2018
Heather Watson had earlier eased past teenager Katriin Saar 6-1, 6-1 before doubles pair Anna Smith and Katie Boulter beat Elena Malygina and Saara Orav by the same scoreline.
In Pool C, Hungary triumphed over Croatia as Dalma Galfi beat Lea Boskovic 6-2, 2-6, 7-5, Fanni Stollar beat Tena Lukas 6-1, 6-3, 7-5, and then they picked up a curtailed doubles win due to injury; and in Pool D, Latvia completed a 3-0 win over Austria, securing the right to play Group A winners Serbia, as Anastasija Sevastova beat Pia Konig 6-0, 6-1, Jelena Ostapenko beat Melanie Klaffner 2-6, 6-0, 6-3, and then Diana Marcinkevica and Daniela Vismane beat Klaffner and Konig in the doubles.