(Reuters) – Last year’s Billie Jean King Cup runners-up Australia suffered an awful start to the Finals as they lost to Slovenia in their opening Group B match in Seville on Tuesday.
Kaja Juvan got outsiders Slovenia off to a flyer with a 6-4 6-1 defeat of a rusty Ajla Tomljanovic.
Former French Open semi-finalist Tamara Zidansek then overcame Daria Saville 6-1 6-4 to give Slovenia an unassailable lead, although a doubles rubber was still to be played.
A strong-looking Kazakhstan team are the other country in Group B.
The 12 qualifying nations are split into four sections of three with the group winners progressing to the semi-finals.
Later on Tuesday, reigning champions Switzerland take on the Czech Republic.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris)
