Romania, debut against New Zealand in the Billie Jean King Cup play-off » First set won by the “tricolore”
Article by Luminița Paul – Published Saturday, November 15, 2025, 5:10 p.m. / Updated Saturday, November 15, 2025, 5:11 p.m.
Romania's Billie Jean King Cup team faces New Zealand in Group B of the play-off, at Gorzow Wielkopolski. In the first match, Elena Ruxandra Bertea has a set against Vivian Yang, 6-2. The first match took place on Friday between Poland and New Zealand, Iga Swiatek and her colleagues winning 3-0.
UPDATE: Elena Ruxandra Bertea – Vivian Yang 6-2 » Romania took the first set in the inaugural match
The first to enter the field for Romania in Arena Gorzow Elena Ruxandra Bertea (19 years old, 319th place WTA), debutant in the tricolor team. She faced Vivian Yang (20 years old, 941 WTA singles).
Playing extremely bravely, the “tricolor” dominated her opponent, an awkward left-hander, and imposed her shots from the back of the court. He managed the break in the first game, then he made another, at the end of a fierce game, and after he had saved a return chance of the opponent a few minutes before. He served safely and won 6-2.
The team has been in Poland for almost a week, in Gorzow Wielkopolski romania will contest the first meeting in Group B of the Billie Jean King Cup Playoffs, against New Zealand.
It will be the first appearance of Alexandra Dulgheru as non-playing captain, with the former WTA No. 26 taking over from September 19 and replacing Horia Tecau. She summoned them Monica Niculescu (38 years old, 97th place WTA in doubles), Gabriela Lee (30 years old, 292nd place WTA), Elena Ruxandra Bertea (19 years old, 319th place WTA) and Mara Gae (20 years old, place 802 WTA).
Lee and Bertea are making their debuts and Mara Gae took to the court at the BJK Cup for the first time this year in the qualifiers when she played doubles against Canada and Japan.
Monica Niculescu, however, represents another category of experience. She participated in 42 matches for Romania during 15 seasons, her first call-up being in 2004.
The schedule of matches
- From 16:00
- Elena Ruxandra Bertea – Vivian Yang
- Gabriela Lee – Elyse Tse
- Mara Gae, Monica Niculescu – Jade Otway, Erin Routliffe
New Zealand, defeated in the first meeting
new zealand already disputed a meeting, against PolandFriday, November 14, being defeated 3-0. Katarzyna Kawa beat her on Vivian Yang by 6-4, 6-4, Iga Swiatekthe star and leader of the team, world number 2, prevailed in front of him Elyse Tse6-0, 6-1, and the double Linda Klimovicova, Martyna Kubka was better than the one composed of Jade Otway and Erin Routliffe6-2, 6-2, even though the latter is a double Grand Slam champion and with a WTA Finals title on her record.
Romania has an advantage over New Zealand, the “tricolors” being better positioned in the world singles ranking. It is the first meeting between the two nations in the Billie Jean King Cup. The team led by Alexandra Dulgheru will play on Sunday, November 16, against Poland.
The 1st place team in each of the 7 groups of three formations goes to the 2026 qualifiers, the other two will play in the zonal Group I.
