Romania’s FED Cup team defeated Spain, on Sunday, and qualified in the play-off for the World Group. FED Cup is the most important international team competition in women's tennis, the equivalent of the men’s Davis Cup.

The Romanian team’s victory was only decided after the doubles’ match, which Irina-Camelia Begu and Monica Niculescu won against Garbine Muguruza and Anabel Medina Garrigues. The two Romanians lost the first set 5-7 but managed to recover and won the other two sets 6-3, 6-2.

In the singles matches, Romanian star Simona Halep, the world’s third best quoted player, won her first match against Silvia Soler-Espinoza, on Saturday, 6-2, 6-1. In the second match, Irina Begu (no. 34 WTA) lost against Spanish Garbine Muguruza (no. 24 WTA) after two sets, ended 3-6, 2-6.

On Sunday, Halep lost her match against Muguruza 4-6, 3-6, making things even harder for the Romanian team. Irina Begu managed to even the score by beating Soler-Espinoza 6-2, 6-4. She was also decisive in the doubles’ match.

Romania hosted the FED Cup encounter with Spain in the eastern city of Galati. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis was there for the debut match.

editor@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: fedcup.com; Photo credit: Robert Ghement)