SHENZHEN, China: The United States returned to the Billie Jean King Cup semifinals for the first time since 2021 with Emma Navarro spearheading a gritty victory over Kazakhstan on Thursday.
The Americans will take on Britain, who are back in the final four of the women’s team competition for a second straight year after defeating Japan in Shenzhen.
Navarro survived a slew of drop shots from Yulia Putintseva and had to save two match points before she completed a 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (8/6) victory to get the Americans on the board in their quarterfinal tie.
Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina levelled things up for Kazakhstan with a clinical 6-4, 6-1 win over world number seven Jessica Pegula. The American quickly hit the reset button and stepped right back on court to partner Taylor Townsend for a 6-2, 7-6 (7/1) win over Rybakina and Putintseva in the deciding doubles clash.
“I’m so happy and so proud of all the ladies on this team. We knew it was going to be so tough when we saw the draw even a couple months ago,” said USA captain Lindsay Davenport. — AFP
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