Porsche Team Germany reaches Billie Jean King Cup Finals

Day 2

The decisive point for Porsche Team Germany in the Geraldo José de Almeida Arena in São Paulo was secured on Saturday by Laura Siegemund. Even with 10,000 spectators fervently cheering on her opponent Carolina Alves, the Stuttgart resident comfortably won the first set. The 2017 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix winner, who beat the Brazilian No. 1 Beatriz Haddad Maia the day before, then ceded the second. In the third however, she was back at her best when closing out the rubber   6-1, 2-6, 6-3.

“The win was well-deserved.” captain Rainer Schüttler

“The arena was a cauldron, but Laura was mentally strong when clinching the tie.”
 
In the first match of the day, Anna-Lena Friedsam took to court against Beatriz Haddad Maia instead of Tatjana Maria, who had put the team 2-0 up on Friday. The plan seemed to be working as she won the first set 7-5. Ranked No. 13 in the world and therefore 176 places above the German, the home team’s top player then turned things around to eventually win 5-7, 6-0, 6-1. The Brazilian tennis fans drew hope again, but Laura Siegemund then wrapped up victory for Porsche Team Germany.

The concluding doubles involving the Porsche Brand Ambassador Angelique Kerber and Anna-Lena Friedsam was not played.
 
The Billie Jean King Cup Finals with the 12 best nations will take place in Seville, Spain from 12 to 17 November 2024.

The opening rubber in the Geraldo José de Almeida Arena in São Paulo saw Laura Siegemund beat world’s number 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia in two straight sets, 6-4, 6-2. Especially in the second set, the 2017 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix winner and Stuttgart resident gave the Brazilian no chance when securing the important first point for Porsche Team Germany.
 
“I knew my game could really hurt her,” said Laura Siegemund after getting off to a winning start. “Tactically I was pretty good and can be very pleased with my performance.”

In the second rubber, Tatjana Maria lost the first set to Laura Pigossi who was cheered on by the fervent crowd. But then the 2022 Wimbledon semi-finalist fought back strongly and converted her first match point after two hours and 29 minutes to double Porsche Team Germany’s lead.
 
“I wanted to enjoy the atmosphere, but then was out of touch,” she said. “After losing the first set, I told myself to keep fighting right to the end. I always believed I could turn the match around.”
 
After the excellent start, Porsche Team Germany now only requires a single point on Saturday, 13 April to qualify once again for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. It will be played in Seville in November.

The second day in São Paulo begins at 15.00 hrs local time (20.00 hrs CEST). Tatjana Maria will first take on Beatriz Haddad Maia and then Laura Siegemund will play Laura Pigossi. Anna-Lena Friedsam/Angelique Kerber and Beatriz Haddad Maia/Luisa Stefani have been nominated for the concluding doubles. All the matches will be televised live on Tennis Channel.

The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is the flagship of Porsche’s worldwide involvement in women’s tennis. First played in Filderstadt in 1978, the long-standing Stuttgart tournament has been held in the city’s Porsche Arena since 2006. It stands for tradition and innovation, as does the Porsche brand. As the most loyal sponsor of women’s international tennis, Porsche has accompanied the WTA’s oldest indoor event right from the start. Porsche has additionally been supporting international women’s tennis for years now. Together with its subsidiaries, the sports car manufacturer will to date therefore be the automotive partner of the WTA tournaments in Cluj-Napoca (Romania) and Bastad (Sweden). Angelique Kerber and Emma Raducanu give Porsche a face in tennis as Brand Ambassadors. Jule Niemeier, Maria Sakkari, Karolina Muchova, Anett Kontaveit and Iga Swiatek are additionally “Friends of the Brand” in their home countries. As a premium partner of the “Deutsche Tennis Bund” (DTB – German Tennis Association), the company has been supporting Porsche Team Germany in the Billie Jean King Cup since 2012 and fosters up-and-coming players in the Porsche Talent Team and the Porsche Junior Team.