Emma Raducanu wrapped up Britain’s berth within the Billie Jean King Cup Finals by taking the final six factors of a 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (1) victory over Diane Parry of France on Saturday for an insurmountable 3-1 lead within the best-of-five-match qualifying spherical.
Poland — led by No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek — and the US, Japan, Australia, Slovakia, Romania and Germany additionally superior to the Finals, which might be held in Seville, Spain, in November. The eight nations from qualifying be part of defending champion Canada, 2023 runner-up Italy, host Spain and wild-card choice Czech Republic within the 12-team Finals discipline.
Raducanu, the 2021 U.S. Open champion who missed most of final season due to accidents, additionally put collectively a comeback from a set down in her opening singles match on Friday towards Caroline Garcia on an indoor clay courtroom in Le Portel, France.
This was a rematch from final yr in qualifying, when France gained; this time, the international locations have been tied 1-all after Friday. Katie Boulter beat Clara Burel 7-5, 6-0 to place Britain forward 2-1 on Saturday, earlier than Raducanu got here via in a contest that lasted practically 3 hours. She led Parry 5-2 within the third set, held two match factors whereas serving for the win at 5-3 however wanted the tiebreaker to shut issues out.
Raducanu had surgical procedure on every wrist and one ankle in 2023. When Saturday’s win ended, she dropped her racket on the courtroom, leaned over to position her palms on her knees, then stood with a large smile.
“To have the ability to put two matches like that again to again — three units and on clay, towards actually powerful opponents — it’s only a testomony to the work we’ve been doing,” mentioned Raducanu, who has been as excessive as No. 10 within the WTA rankings and is No. 302 this week, greater than 250 locations beneath each Garcia (No. 23) and Parry (No. 49). “And I knew it could repay, finally. So I’m very happy that, this weekend, it was capable of present.”
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Britain has by no means gained the worldwide group competitors for ladies.
The U.S. moved on when Jessica Pegula put the hosts forward 3-0 towards Belgium by beating Hanne Vandewinkel 6-2, 6-0 on an out of doors arduous courtroom in Orlando, Florida. The People have gained a file 18 titles within the occasion that was often known as the Fed Cup, however their final got here in 2017.
Swiatek clinched a berth for Poland by defeating Switzerland’s Celine Naef 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday for a 3-0 lead. Swiatek — who has claimed Grand Slam titles on the French Open and one on the U.S. Open — additionally gained her opening singles match on an indoor arduous courtroom at Biel, Switzerland.
Japan went forward 3-0 towards Kazakhstan with no need four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka to play a second match on an indoor arduous courtroom in Tokyo. That’s as a result of Nao Hibino beat Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7) on Saturday, after Osaka’s win towards Putintseva on Friday helped the hosts go up 2-0.
Romania, after shedding the primary two matches, rallied to beat Ukraine 3-2 in Amelia Island, Florida. Ana Bogdan and Jaqueline Cristian gained singles matches to tie it, then teamed to beat Ukrainian twins Lyudmyla and Nadiia Kichenok 6-2, 7-6 (7).
It was the ninth time in a group has overcome an 0-2 deficit to win for the reason that best-of-five format was adopted in 1995. Bogdan acquired the comeback began by beating Elina Svitolina 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, and Cristian topped Lesia Tsurenko 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 to tie it.
“We’re going to celebration arduous tonight, after which we’re going to organize for Seville,” captain Horia Tecau mentioned through the on-court celebrations.
Slovakia moved into the Finals when 16-year-old Renata Jamrichova defeated Veronika Erjavec 6-2, 6-0 on an indoor arduous courtroom in Bratislava to present the hosts a 3-0 edge over visiting Slovenia.
Australia went up 3-0 over Mexico on an out of doors arduous courtroom in Brisbane because of Taylah Preston’s 6-1, 6-1 victory over Marcela Zacarias.
Germany beat Brazil 3-1.