(L-R) Eleonora Molinaro; Lucie Rabiot; Credit: FLT

On Thursday 19 June 2025, the SEAT Luxembourg Billie Jean King Cup team defeated Malta in their first placement match for positions four to six in Europe Group III, held in Chisinau, Moldova.

In the opening singles match, Laura Palumbo lost 4-6, 4-6 to opponent Elaine Genovese. While both players recorded no aces, Palumbo maintained a high second serve percentage (96.3%) and converted all three of her break point opportunities. However, Genovese proved more dominant overall, winning 74 points to Palumbo’s 60 and converting five of thirteen break points to secure the win in straight sets.

In the second singles match, Eleonora Molinaro levelled the tie with a tactical performance and a 7-5, 6-2 win over Emma Montebello. Molinaro served four aces and maintained a strong first serve percentage (73.1%), winning 38 points on her first serve and 9 on her second. She capitalised on five of thirteen break points and secured two set points and two match points. Molinaro won 80 points compared to Montebello’s 66.

The decisive point in the tie came in the doubles match, where Luxembourg’s Lucie Rabiot and Eleonora Molinaro secured a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Malta’s Elaine Genovese and Emma Montebello. The Luxembourg pair served two aces, won 23 points on their first serve and six on their second. They converted five out of nine break points and claimed two match points. In total, Rabiot and Molinaro won 56 points compared to 44 for their opponents.

Luxembourg defeated Malta 2-1, a result that keeps the team in contention to face Ireland for fourth place on Saturday 21 June 2025.