Suárez Leads Spain Past Japan in Fed Cup Playoff

Carla Suárez should be getting a hero’s welcome in her native homeland this week…

The 24-year-old Spanish tennis player defeated Ayumi Morita 6-3, 7-5 to give Spain an insurmountable 3-0 lead over Japan in their Fed Cup World Group playoff on Sunday.

Carla Suarez

Suárez, who won Spain’s first point by defeating Misaki Doi on Saturday, used her reliable serve to take the first set.

Japan’s No. 1 saved one set point before sending her approach shot into the net to fall behind.

Suárez missed a chance to serve out the match up 5-3 in the second set, letting Morita rally back to level at 5-5.

But the Spaniard broke Morita’s serve to clinch the match in 1 hour, 48 minutes, when Morita’s return of her deep forehand fell short.

Japan didn’t win a set in the three singles matches on the outdoor clay court at Real Club de Polo tennis club.