ITF

ITF World Winter 2021 23 according to Samsonova, was on a six-match winning streak in the competition herself until she lost a three-set heartbreaker to Danielle Collins during RTF's semi-final downing of USA. Despite being unable to compete in the final, the 30-year-old played a huge role in leading RTF to the top of the podium. It capped a stunning 2021 campaign for the world No. 11, who earlier this year made her first Grand Slam final at Roland Garros and clinched mixed doubles gold at the Tokyo Olympics alongside Andrey Rublev. "It's an incredible year, I couldn't have imagined that I would finish this amazing year on this note because it was incredible," said Pavlyuchenkova. "Olympic medal, first Grand Slam final, and I couldn't imagine I would finish with this medal here. "It's funny remembering Poland, where we were really low, playing the group zone matches, we weren't even in the World Group. "I went there after the Australian Open and the only thing I had in mind, 'I want so badly to win the World Cup with these girls', but I thought it was so far ahead. We started there and it's been an incredible journey. I'm so grateful for my year." For Pavlyuchenkova, RTF's success also helped banish some painful memories from the 2015 final when her side suffered an agonising defeat to Czech Republic – a tie also contested at Prague's O2 Arena. "I guess it's better late than never," added Pavlyuchenkova, who made her Billie Jean King Cup debut in 2009. "Six years ago, I was playing the final here when Maria Sharapova won all her singles and " 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." - Igor Andreev (RTF)

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