T&T beat Jamaica for opening win in Billie Jean King Cup

Trinidad and Tobago's women's tennis team has made a strong start in the Billie Jean King Cup, achieving a 2-1 victory over Jamaica in their opening tie held in El Salvador. Despite facing funding issues, with the team arriving without financial support from the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SporTT), the players delivered a decisive performance.

The team's effort was crucial, as they had been under threat of a two-year ban and significant fines from the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Failure to compete could have also resulted in reimbursement costs to the tournament organizers.

Solange Skeene set a positive tone by winning her singles match against Jamaica's Katherine Gibbs with a dominant 6-1, 6-0 scoreline. Jamaica managed to level the tie when Kina Graham defeated Jordane Dookie 6-0, 6-1, setting the stage for a decisive doubles rubber.

In the crucial doubles match, the partnership of Anneliese Rose and Jordane Dookie proved successful, as they defeated Graham and Gibbs 6-2, 6-2. This victory clinched the overall tie for Trinidad and Tobago. The team is competing in a round-robin group that also includes Costa Rica, Panama, and Bermuda, with the top teams advancing to promotion matches later in the week.

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The opening win gives T&T a solid early platform as they chase promotion in the “World Cup of Tennis” competition.