The Canadian – who won a WTA 125 event in Midland last week – hit 16 unforced errors in a sloppy opening set and Raducanu seized her opportunity with open arms.

The 22-year-old finished the set in just 28 minutes with three straight breaks, 100% points won on first serve and eight winners off her forehand.

It was a similar story for Katie Boulter in the second rubber up against world No.31 Leylah Fernandez. While the Canadian showed glimpses of her best with a few standout winners, Boulter was able to get into her serve right from the off.

Having missed out on a break point opportunity in the opening game, she wasn’t going to let a second slip away and the British No.1 went on to seal three straight breaks for a 5-2 lead.

Playing again after a win of her own against Laura Siegemund on Friday, Boulter’s energy and positive body language right from the start was key for the 28-year-old in making such a quick start and eventually sealing the win.

Raducanu continues to shine in big moments

One of the most encourage aspects of Raducanu’s performances in Malaga has been the way she’s handled pressure moments – particularly on serve.

After a dominant opening set, the British No.2 had to raise her level in the second to combat a resurgence from Marino. Raducanu went on to save all seven break points faced in the set – including a 12-minute game to get to 4-4 before going on to eventually clinch a break for herself.

It was similar in her first match against Germany as well, where time and time again, the young Brit has been able to call upon her big first serve – saving six of eight in that rubber as well.

The signs are equally as encouraging on the return as well. Raducanu is finding ways to take her chances when she gets them and broke the Canadian on four of her nine chances.

What has been particularly effective on these points has been her second serve return. Against Niemeier on Friday, she broke twice on return winners off the second serve and she found another one again vs Marino – showing that she’s not afraid to take on the big shots in pressure situations.

Boulter makes Fernandez pay for inconsistent serving

When the teams were announced an hour before the first match the big headline was that British No.1 Boulter would take on 2021 US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez in a blockbuster second rubber.

Fernandez had been the driving force behind Canada’s title-run at the Billie Jean King Cup last year, but couldn’t get going against Boulter, particularly on serve.

During the first set, Fernandez only made 53% of her first serves and was made to pay for it. Five double faults and just three of 15 points won on her second serve led to Boulter breaking three times.

The pressure continued to mount with a relentless barrage of heavy groundstrokes off Boulter’s returns and Fernandez couldn’t find the answers. The Brit broke twice at the start of the second set and the Canadian’s second serve was picked off time and time again.

It has to go down as one of, if not Boulter’s best performances at the Billie Jean King Cup and the way she has been able to dominate on both serve and return will give her huge confidence through the rest of the competition.

Brits yet to drop a set in Malaga

Two ties down, four rubbers won and not a single set dropped so far for Anne Keothavong’s side at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals – it’s been a near flawless start and one that could be crucial down the stretch.

Boulter and Raducanu have gone about their business efficiently and it’s meant that the Brits haven’t had to spend huge amounts of energy in tight matches.

As they head into the semi-finals and potential final – played on consecutive days – it could be the difference between getting a close victory or falling away at the end.

Their next opponents, Slovakia, were forced to a doubles decider in their opener against USA, while Italy and Poland on the other side of the draw have also had lengthy ties on their way to the final four.