Poland 0-3 in the Billie Jean King Cup 2026 play-off, the “tricolors” will play in 2026 in Group I Europe/Africa » Wins on the line for Swiatek and her colleagues

ROMANIA – POLAND 0-3 » Mara Gae, Monica Niculescu – Katarzyna Kawa, Martyna Kubka 2-6, 3-6

Poland secured victory over Romania and, implicitly, advancement to the Billie Jean King Cup 2026 qualification phase after the first two singles matches. However, they rounded off the victory to 3-0, winning the doubles match played in Arena Gorzow, to the delight of the local spectators.

Katarzyna Kawa and Martyna Kubka they defeated them Mara Gae and Monica Niculescuscore 6-2, 6-3, in 59 minutes. The Poles gathered 6 aces and capitalized on 3 of the 4 break chances they had.

ROMANIA – POLAND 0-2 » Gabriela Lee – Iga Swiatek 2-6, 0-6

The second game of the meeting of the “tricolors” with opponents from Poland brought them to the Arena Gorzow in Gorzow Wielkopolski on Gabriela Lee and world number 2, Iga Swiatek. The second meeting between them and the first on hard, started strongly by this year's Wimbledon champion.

Swiatek, who did not play in the qualifiers in April, returned to Poland's squad for these important matches. She initially capitalized on her superior experience, but also Gabriela's emotions, quickly pulling away to 3-0. However, a bad range at work for the former WTA leader and a break from the two was recovered by the Romanian. The gap was restored, Iga pressing hard on Lee's one-handed lapel for 4-1, only for another break to follow immediately.

Gabriela Lee in the match with Iga Swiatek in the BJK Cup play-off Photo: Imago Images

In the end, the inaugural act closed with 6-2 in Swiatek's favor, despite the shaky service games he had – he pressed on and prevailed in 32 minutes.

The Pole also took the lead in the second set, 3-0 with two breaks, with some beautiful and contested ball exchanges between the two. The packed hall, with its chants of “Polska, Polska” and demanding drums, maintained a Swiatek-friendly but civilized atmosphere. At 5-0, the six-time Grand Slam champion served for the win. And he prevailed, leading his team to the qualification phase. For Romania, the experience of having won a meeting in this play-off remains, now the return to Group I of the Europe/Africa zone follows.

I'm glad I came here and even if I played a million games in 2025, these two meant a lot. I love playing in Poland and I hope to do it more for the national team – Iga Swiatek

ROMANIA – POLAND 0-1 » Ruxandra Bertea – Linda Klimovicova 2-6, 1-6

Poland team captain, David the Celtmade a change from the original crossover for the first match. He introduced her on Linda Klimovicova in the place Katarzyna Kawa. The latter is passed on the double sheet, next to Martyna Kubka.

The Polish player, born in Olomouc, represented the Czech Republic until October 2024, when she changed her nationality. She showed her intentions from the first balls, but also her extremely aggressive game from the back of the court. For Ruxandra, it was only the second match against an opponent from Top 150after the victory over Arantxei Rus (126 at the time) in the W75 tournament from Bucharest, in October.

Ruxandra Bertea in the BJK Cup play-off Photo: Imago Images

The Romanian played bravely and tried to use her skills to take her opponent out of her comfort zone, the one in which she sits decisively on the ball. The two went head to head until 3-2, when the Pole managed to break, and from there she gained more and more momentum and confidence, closing the inaugural set with 6-2.

In the second set, Klimovicova picked up where she left off at the end of the first act, with Ruxandra going to the locker room during the break. Moreover, the Pole completely freed herself in the game and distanced herself to 4-0, with two breaks, in less than a quarter of an hour. And the Romanian lost her confidence, hesitating more. At 0-5, however, Ruxandra managed to erase the 0 in front of her, postponing the outcome.

I think I played a good match in my Billie Jean King Cup debut. I am happy that I was able to bring the first victory to the team. The atmosphere was extraordinary – Linda Klimovicova

Romania – Poland, decisive duel to reach the BJK Cup 2026 qualifications

A Romanian team with two debutants in the Billie Jean King Cup, Gabriela Lee and Ruxandra Berteaanother very young player, Mara Gaeand one with the greatest possible experience, Monica Niculesculed by a former player, Alexandra Carpenterfaced an important challenge in the play-offs of the competition.

All four Tricolor players contributed to the 3-0 victory over New Zealand in Group B on Saturday 15 November. However, in order to access the 2026 qualification phase, one more is needed, against Poland, who also won 3-0 against the Antipozi team on Friday, November 14.

Romania – Poland, the eighth match in the Billie Jean King Cup

It was the eighth match against Poland, who were leading 5-2 in the matches so far. The two nations most recently met in 2022, in Radom, in the qualifiers, and today's opponent prevailed then with 4-0.

Mara Gae and Monica Niculescu Photo: Imago Images

The schedule of matches

• From 16:00
• Ruxandra Bertea – Linda Klimovicova 2-6, 1-6
• Gabriela Lee – Iga Swiatek
• Mara Gae, Monica Niculescu – Katarzyna Kawa, Martyna Kubka

Previous meetings Romania – Poland

• 1998 Europe/Africa Group I clay Murcia (Spa) Poland – Romania 2-0
• 2000 Europe/Africa Group I clay Murcia (Spa) Romania – Poland 3-0
• 2008 Europe/Africa Group I carpet Budapest (Ung) Romania – Poland 3-0
• 2009 Europe/Africa Group I hard indoor Tallinn (East) Poland – Romania 2-1
• 2012 Europe/Africa Group I hard Eilat (Isr) Poland – Romania 2-1
• 2013 Europe/Africa Group I hard Eilat (Isr) Poland – Romania 2-0
• 2022 Hard indoor qualifications Radom (Pol) Poland – Romania 4-0

Group B standings

The composition of the teams

• Romania
• Gabriela Lee (30 years old, 292nd place WTA in singles, 508th place in doubles) » 2025 debut in BJK Cup » 1 season » 1 meeting » 1-0 in singles » 0-0 in doubles
• Elena Ruxandra Bertea (19 years old, 319th place WTA in singles, 393rd place in doubles) » 2025 debut in BJK Cup » 1 season » 1 meeting » 1-0 in singles » 0-0 in doubles
• Mara Gae (20 years old, 802nd place WTA in singles, 688th place in doubles) » 2025 debut in BJK Cup » 1 season » 3 meetings » 0-0 in singles » 1-2 in doubles
• Monica Niculescu (38 years old, unranked in singles, 97th in doubles) » 2004 debut in BJK Cup » 16 seasons » 43 meetings » 15-10 in singles » 19-13 in doubles
• Poland
• Iga Swiatek (24 years old, 2nd place WTA singles, unranked in doubles) » 2018 debut in BJK Cup » 6 seasons » 14 meetings » 13-2 in singles 3-2 in doubles
• Katarzyna Kawa (32 years old, 124th place WTA, 289th WTA in doubles) 2016 debut in BJK Cup » 6 seasons » 11 meetings » 2-3 in singles » 4-4 in doubles
• Linda Klimovicova (21 years old, 146th place WTA in singles, unranked in doubles) » 2025 debut in BJK Cup » 1 season » 1 meeting » 0-0 in singles » 1-0 in doubles
• Martyna Kubka (24 years old, 359th place WTA in singles, 151st place WTA in doubles) » 2023 debut in BJK Cup » 2 seasons » 4 meetings » 0-0 in singles » 3-1 in doubles