Katie O'Brien and Elena Baltacha gave AEGON Team GB an unassailable 2-0 lead against Bosnia & Herzegovina, before Baltacha and Sarah Borwell completed the job for a 3-0 victory on the opening day of the Europe/Africa Zone Group I Fed Cup by BNP Paribas tie in Lisbon, Portugal.
Despite taking to the court three and a half hours after their scheduled 4pm start-time, O'Brien came roaring out of the blocks against the Bosnian No.2, Ema Burgic, ranked No.653 in the world, taking an early break, and taking the first set 6-2.
The second set was completely one-way traffic, O'Brien overpowering and outmaneuvering Burgic at every opportunity, and rounding off a satisfying 6-2, 6-0 win.
“It was pretty good out there," said O'Brien afterwards. "I didn’t know my opponent so it was a little bit awkward; I think she was quite young. I was obviously really excited to be playing – I have been buzzing since I knew I was playing yesterday. We’ve been hanging around so long today so I was just trying to conserve my energy, but once I had settled down a bit and found my range I think it was just a solid performance, so I’m pleased with that."
“I think to be honest the match was in my control. I think it was all about me being solid and making her move and that’s what I did really. I served quite well as well which I was pleased with.”
Soon afterwards, Elena Baltacha faced off against Sandra Martinovic, the world No.387, and cruised through the match in similar fashion. Breaking the Bosnian immediately, Baltacha never looked back, dominating her opponent from the baseline, and getting her serve going nicely.
Having taken the first set 6-1, there were slight alarm bells when Martinovic broke the Brit early in the second set. But Baltacha maintained her composure, breaking back immediately, and powering to a 6-1, 6-1 victory.
"I didn’t feel that I was on my top form but it was a first match on a surface that I haven’t played a match on," said Baltacha. "The first match is always difficult. I knew that we had to win and that we had to make it 2-0 and then going into the doubles hopefully make it 3-0. That was in my head the whole time. I think on the whole I am just really delighted that I won and we are 2-0 up. I think as the days go on, our tennis is just going to get better and better.”
In the doubles, Baltacha and Sarah Borwell got off to a slightly rocky start, going 2-0 down, but soon recovered to take the first set 6-3, and the second 6-2 against their inexperienced opponents. It gives Team GB a 3-0 clean sweep on day one, which gets them off to a very good start in what is a tricky group.
Team captain Nigel Sears was delighted with the performance. "I'm very pleased with today. Even though they were the weakest team, the girls couldn't have done a better job. They were very professional, and pulled off a clean, decisive win. The rest of the week is only going to get tougher, but we're up for the challenge."
For a full account of day one, click here to read it with our exclusive coverage as it happened.
AEGON Team GB will next face Austria, scheduled to begin at 4pm GMT. There will be live coverage on the LTA website for the build-up from 2pm... Follow it live, with our exclusive coverage As It Happens
Find out more about who the AEGON GB Fed Cup team face
Watch a video of the team's reaction to the draw, and to Fed Cup so far on the ACE YouTube channel .
Show your support by adding a Twibbon to your Twitter profile
Catch-up with all our Fed Cup Coverage