The journey to the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup began Thursday as qualifying rounds for this year`s finals started worldwide.
Eighteen nations are divided into six groups of three this week. The six group winners will advance to the Finals of this prestigious national team competition, joining host nation China and defending champion Italy.
Group breakdowns are as follows:
- Group A (Tokyo, Japan): Canada, Romania, Japan
- Group B (Ostrava, Czech Republic): Czech Republic, Spain, Brazil
- Group C (Bratislava, Slovakia): Slovakia, United States, Denmark
- Group D (Brisbane, Australia): Australia, Kazakhstan, Colombia
- Group E (Radom, Poland): Poland, Switzerland, Ukraine
- Group F (The Hague, Netherlands): Great Britain, Germany, Netherlands
The Billie Jean King Cup Finals will be held September 16-21 at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre Arena in Shenzhen, China. Shenzhen will host the finals through 2027.
Here’s a summary of Thursday`s qualifying results (all nations are still in contention):
Group B: Czech Republic vs. Brazil
Czech Republic defeated Brazil 2-1
Playing at home, the Czech Republic won their Group B opener against Brazil. Marie Bouzkova defeated Laura Pigossi 6-0, 7-6(3), and Linda Noskova defeated Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-4, 6-0 in straight sets singles wins.
“Playing in front of Czech fans was amazing,” Bouzkova said. “I loved it, and winning this point for my country is very special.”
Brazil secured a point in doubles with a win from Haddad Maia and Luisa Stefani.
The Czech Republic aims to continue their Billie Jean King Cup success. They have 11 titles, second only to the United States` 18, with their last title in 2018.
The Czech Republic will play Spain on Saturday, while Brazil will face Spain tomorrow.
Group D: Kazakhstan vs. Australia
Kazakhstan defeated Australia 2-1
Kazakhstan won their Group D opener thanks to singles wins from Top 25 players Elena Rybakina and Yulia Putintseva against host nation Australia.
Putintseva easily defeated teenager Maya Joint 6-2, 6-1 in the first match. Rybakina, a former Wimbledon champion, had a tougher match but beat Kimberly Birrell 6-3, 7-6(4) to secure the win.
Australia earned a doubles point with a victory from Ellen Perez and former WTA Doubles World No. 1 Storm Hunter.
Kazakhstan will attempt to go 2-0 against Colombia tomorrow. Australia, a seven-time Billie Jean King Cup champion (last title in 1974), will play Colombia on Saturday.
Group E: Poland vs. Switzerland
Poland defeated Switzerland 3-0
Playing at home, Poland took an unassailable 2-0 lead against 2022 champions Switzerland on Thursday.
Katarzyna Kawa, who reached the Bogota final last week as a qualifier, started with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 win over Jil Teichmann. Magda Linette followed up with a more comfortable 6-4, 6-3 victory against Viktorija Golubic.
Poland completed a clean sweep with Martyna Kubka and Maja Chwalinska winning the doubles.
Poland is aiming for their first Billie Jean King Cup Finals championship match appearance, after their best result of reaching the semifinals last year.
Group F: Netherlands vs. Germany
Netherlands defeated Germany 3-0
Another home team, the Netherlands, also secured an unassailable 2-0 lead against two-time champions Germany on Thursday.
Eva Vedder started with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Jule Niemeier. Suzan Lamens then fought back to defeat Tatjana Maria 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a 2-hour and 13-minute match.
The Netherlands completed the 3-0 sweep with a doubles win by Lamens and Demi Schuurs.
