Spain continues to have big problems due to the weather. After the devastating floods in Valencia, red and orange codes for storm and rain have now been triggered in Malaga too!
Ana Bogdan. PHOTO: The Truth Archive
Theoretically, Romania and Japan should face each other, today, from 13.00 (Digi Sport 2) in the first round of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Basically, everything depends on the state of the weather, after a red rain code was triggered in Malaga. As a result, yesterday’s program was cancelled, in its entirety.
The problem is that, according to the weather forecast, unfavorable conditions are also announced today in Malaga. And orange storm and rain codes remain in effect this morning. Which means that by putting the safety of spectators and teams first, the organizers can make other decisions that upset the race schedule.
“We keep dreaming”
Until we see if the weather will allow the Romania – Japan match to take place, this confrontation was prefaced by Horia Tecău (39 years old), the non-playing captain of our team.
“We are happy to be here and very motivated. If we look at our team, I think we have strong players in both singles and doubles, so we can have bold goals. We take it match by match, practice by practice and try to keep our energy and focus on what we can control. With this team, made up of players who have won against top opponents, we can dream. More precisely, we dream of reaching the final stages of the competition, but we always put the emphasis on the first match“, said Tecau.
And our main players showed confidence in the strength of the team. Here is what they said before Romania – Japan:
*Monica Niculescu: I love the Romanian team. Together we form a very strong team. I think that’s why the results are coming, because we form a solid team. We communicate well, we have fun together… and everything goes well when we are together.
*Ana Bogdan: We cannot forget the doubles match against Ukraine (no. – the one that qualified Romania for the final tournament). It is a moment to which we will always return and from which we can draw our energy and passion for the matches to come. I played with my heart then, that was the key to victory.
*Jaqueline Cristian: We are very happy and eager to play. We feel good here, we had some very good days together and I think we are in good shape. Everything is fine, we are ready.
The Romanian team qualified for the first time in the final tournament of the Billie Jean King Cup, after defeating Ukraine with a score of 3-2, on April 14, in Fernandina Beach (Florida).
The Romanian team
*Jaqueline Cristian (26 years old, 73 WTA)
*Anca Todoni (20 years old, 113 WTA)
*Ana Bogdan (31 years old, 116 WTA)
*Gabriela Ruse (27 years old, 128 WTA)
*Monica Niculescu (37 years old, 33 WTA in doubles)
Non-playing captain: Horia Tecau (39 years old)
Team Japan
*Moyuka Uchijima (23 years old, 56 WTA)
*Ena Shibahara (26 years old, 135 WTA)
*Nao Hibino (29 years old, 152 WTA)
*Eri Hozumi (30 years old, 45 WTA in doubles)
*Shuko Aoyama (36 years old, 47 WTA in doubles)
Non-Player Captain: Ai Sugiyama (49)
The schedule of matches
Shibahara – A. Bogdan
Uchijima – J. Cristian
Aoyama / Hozumi – Ruse / Niculescu (pairings may undergo last-minute changes)
Billie Jean King Cup Finals 2024
Round I
Japan – Romania today
Slovakia – United States of America today
Germany v Great Britain tomorrow
Spain – Poland tomorrow
quarters
Italy – Japan / Romania on Saturday
Czech Republic – Spain / Poland on Saturday
Canada v Germany / Great Britain on Sunday
Australia v Slovakia / USA on Sunday
*The semi-finals are scheduled for November 18-19, and the final will be played on November 20, from 6:00 p.m. Romanian time.
