United States Advances to Billie Jean King Cup Semifinals
Shenzhen, China – The American team, led by Jessica Pegula and Taylor Townsend, secured their place in the Billie Jean King Cup semifinals for the first time since 2021, after defeating Kazakhstan with a score of 2-1 last Thursday. Pegula and Townsend secured a crucial victory in the decisive doubles match, overcoming Yulia Putintseva and Elena Rybakina with a score of 6-2, 7-6 (1). In the singles, Emma Navarro starred in an outstanding performance by defeating Putintseva with scores of 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (6), saving two match points. Putintseva led the tiebreak with a score of 6-4, but Navarro reacted and secured the last four points after two and a half hours of play. Rybakina, former Wimbledon champion, tied the quarterfinal series by defeating Pegula in a match between the top ten players, with a score of 6-4, 6-1. Pegula, after her first defeat against Rybakina in two and a half years, teamed up with Townsend, the world number one in doubles and two-time Grand Slam doubles champion. Townsend, for her part, generated some controversy this week due to her comments about Chinese food, for which she later apologized. Townsend dominated the first set, and the American pair secured the tiebreak of the second set, sealing the victory with a double fault by Rybakina.The United States will face Great Britain in the semi-finals on Saturday. Great Britain secured their place in the semi-finals by defeating Japan, winning both singles in straight sets in their quarter-final match. Sonay Kartal defeated Ena Shibahara with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (4). Shibahara had a break point for 5-4 in the second set and led the tiebreak 3-1. Katie Boulter sealed the victory by defeating Moyuka Uchijima 6-2, 6-1 in their first encounter. In the other half of the draw, Ukraine will face the reigning champion, Italy, in the semifinals on Friday. Marta Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina won their singles matches against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro and Paula Badosa, respectively, securing Ukraine’s place in the final phase. Italy defeated China, the host country. The BJK Cup, formerly known as the Fed Cup, has seen the United States as the most successful team, with 18 titles, but has not won the championship since 2017.“I wanted to redeem myself a little against her [Rybakina], and try to help my team get a victory,” commented Pegula.
Jessica Pegula
