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Kazakhstan's top tennis player, Yulia Putintseva, has reflected on her monumental victory against Canadian and former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu. This hard-fought win has secured Kazakhstan's spot in the Billie Jean King Cup finals.

A Record-Breaking Marathon Match

The intense singles match, held in Astana, stretched for an incredible 3 hours and 39 minutes, marking a new record for both players. Putintseva showcased remarkable resilience, winning two tie-breakers in the first and third sets, despite dropping the second set 3-6.

Reflecting on the grueling encounter, Putintseva shared, "The match was very long. At one point, it felt like we would never finish. We were playing point by point." She admitted to feeling exhausted but was motivated by her opponent's apparent energy. "Honestly, she convinced me that she was tired, but then when I saw how she was running, she looked not tired at all. That really bothered me at times."

During critical moments, Putintseva relied on the guidance of Kazakhstan's captain, Yuri Shukin. "Yura, I'm on autopilot. I don't even know what I'm doing. I'm just trying to play somewhere comfortable," she recalled telling him, highlighting her instinctual play during the match.

"I Never Give Up" Mentality

Putintseva attributed her victory not only to physical endurance but also to the unwavering support of the home crowd and her own determined mindset. "I think it all accumulated. The fans, the emotions, the fact that I never give up in any situation, even if it's not in my favor. I've always been taught to fight until the end, and today, of course, it was a game of character, especially in the third set, because we were both tired at one point."

She acknowledged the fine margins in such high-stakes matches: "She fought, I fought, and we basically played about the same. With some luck, with some focus, I said that consistent tennis wins. But it might not have happened. Risky tennis could have won today. She went for balls that I wouldn't have gone for. That's how it is today, it could be different tomorrow. It's a lottery, it's a swing, especially 7-6 in the deciding set. Luck was on my side today."

This epic clash was not only a personal record for Putintseva and Andreescu but also one of the longest matches in the history of the Billie Jean King Cup.

Andreescu's Perspective

Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion, also shared her thoughts on the challenging match. "I'm proud not only of myself right now but of my whole team because I felt the support from the team, from the captain. We gave our all on the court, we did everything we could."

Despite the loss, Andreescu expressed satisfaction with her performance and the experience. "There's no guarantee whether you win or not. But the team supported me, and I can say I really enjoyed it. And what can you do, it's tennis," she stated.

This significant victory has propelled the Kazakhstan national team to the finals of the Billie Jean King Cup. The final stage is scheduled to take place in China in the autumn of 2026, featuring the top eight women's teams from around the world.

This news was reported by Infohub.kz.