Japan and the United States have claimed the last two of the eight available positions in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, set to take place in September. Both teams secured their spots with 2-1 victories in their respective qualifying group matches on Saturday, Japan against Canada and the U.S. against Slovakia.
In Tokyo, playing in Group A, Japan initially fell behind against Canada, the 2023 champions. Victoria Mboko, an 18-year-old, defeated Ena Shibahara in a thrilling opening singles match, 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-5. Mboko needed six match points to close out the 2-hour and 45-minute contest.
However, Moyuka Uchijima leveled the score for Japan by overcoming Marina Stakusic 6-3, 6-3. In the decisive doubles match, Shibahara partnered with her former long-time teammate Shuko Aoyama. The Japanese duo fought hard to win 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 against Kayla Cross and Rebecca Marino, securing Japan`s place in the Finals for the second consecutive year.
Team captain Ai Sugiyama commented, “This is not the end. We are really excited to go to Shenzhen. It feels amazing. The first match didn`t go our way, but Moyuka played exceptionally in the second match. The doubles could have gone either way, but we battled for every point. We pulled through, and it was an incredible day.”
Meanwhile, in Bratislava, the United States defeated Slovakia, the host nation, for the first time in their Billie Jean King Cup history. The U.S. had previously lost to Slovakia at the Finals in both 2021 and 2024. Hailey Baptiste and Bernarda Pera, both recent additions to captain Lindsay Davenport`s team as late replacements just before the qualifiers, maintained their undefeated record for the weekend, each securing straight-set victories against Renata Jamrichova and Rebecca Sramkova, respectively.
Davenport praised her team after the match, stating, “They were amazing all week, including during practice. We felt like we had the right momentum, the right confidence, and the right chemistry with the team members present. It was especially impressive to see both Hailey and Bernarda step up, particularly Bernarda, playing against a higher-ranked player in this environment and how she managed to compose herself in crucial moments. I am extremely proud.”
Baptiste confidently defeated 17-year-old Jamrichova, the junior World No. 1 in 2024, with a 6-3, 6-4 victory. Pera then secured the U.S.`s place in Shenzhen by upsetting World No. 37 Rebecca Sramkova 7-6(2), 7-5, despite being ranked nearly 40 positions lower in the WTA rankings.
Pera, ranked No. 76 globally, let a 5-3, 0-30 lead slip in the first set but managed to break Sramkova`s serve to force a tiebreak, which she dominated. Sramkova was instrumental in Slovakia`s journey to their first Billie Jean King Cup Finals last fall. In the second set, Pera recovered from a 4-0 and 5-2 deficit, never facing a set point, to clinch the match.
Pera expressed her excitement after the match: “Oh my god, it feels amazing! Who would have thought? On Monday, I was practicing on clay, preparing for Rouen, when I received a call from Lindsay saying they needed a player here. I was very nervous coming here, it being my first time with the team. I am incredibly happy and thrilled to get the win.”
She added, “Honestly, I am overwhelmed with emotions. I am so happy. I just told Lindsay that this has been one of the best weeks ever. I had so much fun with the team. The girls are amazing, and I received so much support from all of them. The whole team was just amazing, and I am so, so happy to have experienced this.”
The 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Finals are scheduled for September 16-21 and will include hosts China, defending champions Italy, and qualified nations Great Britain, Japan, Kazakhstan, Spain, Ukraine, and the United States.
