ISMANING, November 14, 2025

Germany opened their Billie Jean King Cup Play-Offs campaign in Ismaning with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Turkey on Friday. While Ella Seidel gave the hosts a promising start by winning the opening singles rubber, the momentum shifted as German No. 1 Eva Lys fell in three sets to her close friend Zeynep Sönmez. With the tie level at 1–1, everything came down to the decisive doubles, but Jule Niemeier and Anna-Lena Friedsam were unable to clinch the final point against Ayla Aksu and Sönmez, allowing Turkey to seal a surprise victory on German soil.

In the second singles rubber between the two No. 1 players, Sönmez outlasted Lys 6-2, 4-6, 6-0. In a match between two good friends, the 23-year-old Turkish showed a solid performance, often found her way to the net and broke Lys’ serve eight times. Sonmez prevailed after exactly two hours of play.

Eva Lys on leading Team this weekend in Ismaning: “Of course, I think about it. I’ve gained a lot of confidence this year, but it’s still an unfamiliar situation in which I put more pressure on me than I should because I want to live up to this position.” #BJKCup #Ismaning pic.twitter.com/TsleKiJ9Ni

— Florian Heer (@Florian_Heer) November 14, 2025

“I am really disappointed but I fought until the end. Zeynep is a great player and was the more dominant player on court today. I couldn’t really find into my game, although I won the second set. She was very powerful in the third set and deserved it. She was the better player today,” Lys said.

“I spent the last two months in Asia playing on very slow surfaces. Over the past few days here I’ve felt very comfortable, but this is one of the fastest hard courts I’ve played on in recent months. Normally I like that, but today I couldn’t quite find my timing in the match. I had to search for my rhythm the entire time, and I never really managed to get into it.”

Asked about her status as the national number one, Lys replied: “Of course I think about it. On tour or even here within the team, I’m still trying to find my place. I’ve gained a lot of confidence after this year, but it’s still an unfamiliar situation in which I put more pressure on myself than I should, because I want to live up to that position. Within the team I get support from all the girls. You don’t really notice it there. When we go out on court, we all give our best. I have a lot of trust in the players we brought with us. They’re all very dangerous, and I see myself as one of them.”

“I am really happy with my performance today. I am so proud to have shared the court with Eva. I really love her,” said Sönmez during her on-court interview.

Seidel in cruise mode

Earlier, Ella Seidel celebrated a successful Billie Jean King Cup debut by cruising past Berfu Cengiz 6-1, 6-1. The 20-year-old Hamburg native capitalized on five of her 10 break-point chances to seal victory in only 57 minutes.

“I am really happy with my debut today. I was really nervous at the beginning, as it was my first match for Germany  and in front of my home crowd. The atmosphere was incredible and helped me to find my game,” said Seidel, who wasn’t aware of the fact that she knows her opponent only one hour before the match. “Yesterday evening, I asked who I am going to play and then I was told that I will find out tomorrow at 2 pm,” she explained with a smile.

Seidel practices at the TennisBase Oberhaching, which is situated only a few kilometres away from Ismaning. “I feel good here” the World No. 85 stated. “It’s always nice when you don’t have to travel too much and are able to stay at home. My coach Lars Übel was also here during the practice sessions. I have had a very positive year and finally made it into the Top 100. That was my big goal. There are still a lot of things to improve but I am feeling very optimistic.”

Finally, Sönmez and Aksu secured a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory in one hour and 41 minutes to clinch the tie.

Türkiye win the tie!

Zeynep Sonmez and Ayla Aksu defeat Germany in the deciding doubles match, 6-2 2-6 6-4#BJKCup pic.twitter.com/3MlH88DNz8

— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) November 14, 2025

“We played a good doubles match. With Ayla it was a good energy on court. We are very happy.” Sönmez said.

“We will try to play our best tennis. We love to represent our country. We are proud to be here. We are a great team and will try to give our best and then we will see.”

Turkey will play Belgium on Saturday. With a win they will reach the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers for the first time.