Published: 09:57, September 19, 2025
USA, Britain reach Billie Jean King Cup semis
By Xinhua
USA's Taylor Townsend (front) and Jessica Pegula play a point against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina and Yulia Putintseva during their women’s doubles tennis match at the Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals in Shenzhen, South China’s Guangdong province, on Sept 18, 2025. (PHOTO / AFP)

SHENZHEN, China - The USA advanced to the last four of Billie Jean King Cup after fighting their way past Kazakhstan 2-1 in the quarterfinals here on Thursday, setting up a semifinal clash with Britain.

Jessica Pegula and Taylor Townsend won the doubles decider against Kazakhstan duo Elena Rybakina and Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 7-6(1).

In the earlier two contests, Emma Navarro saved two match points to upset Yulia Putintseva 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(6) to gift the USA the lead, before Elena Rybakina destroyed Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-1 to equalize for Kazakhstan.

"I kind of knew whatever happened in the singles, I'd be in for doubles. I had to shift my mindset really quickly," Pegula said.

"I just took it as a challenge and wanted to redeem myself a little bit out there against her, try and help my team get a win. Even though I wasn't able to do it on the singles court, we had a chance to take it in doubles," the world No.7 added.

The USA now faces a semifinal against Britain, who defeated Japan 2-0 with both matches in straight sets. Sonay Kartal beat Ena Shibahara 6-3, 7-6(4) to set the tone before Katie Boulter eased past Moyuka Uchijima 6-2, 6-1.

"We've got some world-class tennis players. They (the USA) don't know what we are capable of. I think we are all going to have a free swing and get after them," Boulter said.

Ukraine, who beat Spain 2-0 to reach their first Billie Jean King Cup last four on Wednesday, will take on defending champion Italy in the other semifinal.