Japan and the United States have completed the lineup for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in September, each securing 2-1 victories against Canada and Slovakia respectively in the final qualifying group stage matches on Saturday.
In Tokyo, Japan, playing in Group A, initially fell behind against Canada, the 2023 champions. Victoria Mboko, an 18-year-old player, defeated Ena Shibahara in a dramatic opening singles match that lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes, with a score of 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-5. Mboko needed six match points to secure her win.
Moyuka Uchijima then leveled the score by defeating Marina Stakusic 6-3, 6-3. In the decisive doubles match, Shibahara partnered with her former long-time partner Shuko Aoyama. The Japanese duo secured a hard-fought victory 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 against Kayla Cross and Rebecca Marino, earning Japan a place in the Finals for the second consecutive year.
Team captain Ai Sugiyama commented, `This is not the end. We’re really looking forward to going to Shenzhen. It feels great. The first match didn’t go our way, but in the second match, Moyuka played exceptionally well. The doubles match could have gone either way, but we fought for every point. We pulled through, and it was an incredible day.”
Meanwhile, in Bratislava, the United States team overcame Slovakia, the host nation, marking their first victory against them in three Billie Jean King Cup encounters. Previously, the U.S. had lost to Slovakia at the Finals in 2021 and 2024. Hailey Baptiste and Bernarda Pera, both recent additions to captain Lindsay Davenport`s team just before the Qualifiers, maintained their undefeated record for the weekend, each winning their singles matches against Renata Jamrichova and Rebecca Sramkova in straight sets.
Davenport praised her team, stating, `They were amazing all week and in practice. We felt like we had the right momentum, confidence, and team chemistry. It was especially impressive to see both Hailey and Bernarda rise to the occasion, particularly Bernarda, playing against a higher-ranked player in this environment and maintaining composure in crucial moments. I am very proud.`
Baptiste achieved a decisive 6-3, 6-4 victory over 17-year-old Jamrichova, the junior World No. 1 in 2024. 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 places below Sramkova in the WTA rankings.
Pera, ranked No. 76 globally, initially lost a 5-3, 0-30 lead in the first set but managed to break Sramkova`s serve, forcing a tiebreak which she dominated. In the second set, the 30-year-old left-hander recovered from a 4-0 and 5-2 deficit, never facing a set point, to clinch the win.
Post-match, Pera exclaimed, `Oh my god, it feels amazing! Who would have thought? Just on Monday, I was practicing on clay, preparing for a tournament in Rouen, when I received a call from Lindsay asking if I could join the team here. I was incredibly nervous coming here, being my first time on the team. I am super happy and thrilled to get this win.`
Pera further added, `Honestly, I’m overwhelmed with emotions. I’m 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 them. The whole team was just fantastic, and I’m so, so happy to have experienced this.`
The 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Finals are scheduled to take place from September 16-21 and will include hosts China, defending champions Italy, and qualified teams from Great Britain, Japan, Kazakhstan, Spain, Ukraine, and the United States.
