ITF

This followed Daria Kasatkina's victory over Teichmann – the 24-year-old's first Billie Jean King Cup defeat in eight outings – in the opening singles showdown as the women's World Cup of tennis prepared to crown its latest victors. "It's an historic win for us," said Andreev. "It's been a long time without any trophies in team tennis. I'm very proud and very happy for the girls, the way they played. "They're amazing, they're heroes, and they achieved this because they're a team – a real team – and real friends." The team spirit which Andreev references was evident throughout the Finals, with Kasatkina and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova wowing before a ball had even been hit – with their Halloween costumes. The same pair then turned up to their pre-tournament press conference wearing garish wigs. At one stage, Pavlyuchenkova even dared Andreev to conduct his media commitments in a similar fashion should RTF progress beyond the group stages of the competition and reach the semi-finals. The players maintained their side of the bargain, although Andreev's head remained uncovered, in public at least. RTF navigated group matches against Canada and France before overpowering USA, whose team contained three of the four members from their 2017 title-winning side, in a pulsating last-four tussle which was decided by doubles. Secret weapon Samsonova was a key performer, winning three successive doubles encounters alongside Veronika Kudermetova, although it was in singles where she excelled, dispatching USA's Sloane Stephens in the semis before taking centre stage in the final. There was, however, an element of drama. RTF announced a late change to their line- up ahead of their showdown with Switzerland, with word spreading through the O2 Arena less than 30 minutes before the players were due on court for the opening ceremony. Following assessment by the independent doctor, Pavlyuchenkova was ruled out with a flare-up of patellar tendinitis in her left knee, with Samsonova her replacement, which set up her third clash of 2021 with Bencic. Samsonova had won their previous two meetings. It certainly added an extra level of spice as the teams took to the court, while Samsonova duly delivered again, outmanoeuvring Bencic despite losing the opening set. RTF never looked back – completing victory, but also a remarkable turnaround in fortunes. Andreev took the reins of the team from Anastasia Myskina in April 2018, with RTF losing the first tie he oversaw – a home play- off to Latvia – which saw them relegated to Europe/Africa Group I. That defeat, however, kick-started an incredible journey which has seen the Russians win nine consecutive ties – a streak that began in Poland in February 2019 and climaxed against Switzerland. Pavlyuchenkova and Kasatkina were both present at those zonal ties in Poland two years ago, and they also provided valuable points for RTF during their victory march in the Czech capital. Pavlyuchenkova, "the boss" of the squad BILLIE JEAN KING CUP FINALS 22 Winter 2021 ITF World Above Teichmann and Bencic in doubles ac on for Switzerland Above right Kasatkina and Pavlyuchenkova in their wigs Far Right Samsonova announced herself on the Billie Jean King Cup stage R E A D M O R E

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