Bratislava, Slovakia – The United States secured its place in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals with a 2-1 victory over Slovakia, thanks to straight-set wins by Hailey Baptiste and Bernarda Pera.
Baptiste defeated Renata Jamrichova with a score of 6-3, 6-4, while Pera beat Slovak number one, Rebecca Sramkova, with a result of 7-6 (2), 7-5.
Honestly, I am overwhelmed by emotions, very happy. I had a lot of fun with the team, the girls are amazing, I received a lot of support from everyone and I am super happy.
Bernarda Pera
United States, which had previously defeated Denmark 3-0 on Saturday, led Group C.
Japan Advances to the Finals
In Group A, Ena Shibahara and Shuko Aoyama secured Japan’s pass to the finals by defeating Canadians Kayla Cross and Rebecca Marino in the decisive doubles match, with a score of 6-3, 5-7, 6-2.
Canada had taken a 1-0 lead after Victoria Mboko defeated Shibahara with a score of 6-4, 6-7 (8), 7-5. Japan leveled the tie when Moyuka Uchijima beat Marina Stakusic 6-3, 6-3 in the second singles match.
I am very happy to have achieved the doubles today.
Ena Shibahara
The BJK Cup Finals will be held in Shenzhen in September. Japan will make its second consecutive appearance in the finals, seeking to equal its best historical performance, when it reached the semifinals in 1996.
