Rybakina, Krejcikova Shine in Billie Jean King Cup Openers

Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina in action during her singles match against Poland's Weronika Falkowska at the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier match between Kazakhstan and Poland at National Tennis Centre Beeline Arena in Astana, Kazakhstan, on April 14, 2023. Pavel Mikheyev/Reuters

Grand Slam champions Elena Rybakina and Barbora Krejcikova comfortably won their opening matches to help Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic respectively take 2–0 leads in their Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers on Friday.

Playing a home against a Polish team missing the injured world number one Iga Swiatek, Kazakhstan stamped their authority over Poland on clay.