By Tennis Now | @Tennis_Now | Saturday, April 12, 2025
Picture credit score: Hameltion/Wikimedia Commons
Hailey Baptiste and Bernarda Pera each gained their Billie Jean King Cup debuts to guide the US previous Denmark, 3-0, on Saturday in Bratislava to arrange a decisive Qualifying tie vs. hosts Slovakia on Sunday with a visit to the 2025 Finals on the road.
“We knew it was going to be a troublesome weekend irrespective of which staff we have been taking part in on no matter day, and it’s onerous once you’re anticipated to win,” U.S. captain Lindsay Davenport mentioned. “Clearly we have been the favorites towards Denmark, however so proud how two rookies performed a few of their greatest tennis, it will probably solely make me proud. They each competed tremendous onerous, they did every little thing we talked about all week in follow, so I’m so completely happy for Hailey, I’m so completely happy for Bernarda. It means quite a bit to them and so they actually confirmed it immediately.
“They each obtained off to nice begins, particularly Hailey. Each of them had plenty of nerves earlier than taking part in, which clearly means you care, however Hailey obtained off to an excellent begin and it calmed her down.
“There have been a few lengthy video games within the second set. Hailey obtained by way of one or two and was in a position to get by way of. Bernarda was a fighter. She labored so onerous in follow all week. She’s sort of set the tone for all of the youthful gamers as properly. Her professionalism, and he or she was so excited to come back and symbolize the US.”
The American staff will look to beat Slovakia for the primary time in three tries and avenge the 2 nations’ most up-to-date assembly, wherein Slovakia narrowly eradicated the U.S. from the 2024 Finals in a third-set doubles tiebreak.
Tomorrow’s winner qualifies for the eight-nation Finals held September 16-21 in Shenzhen, China. Italy, China, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Spain have all already certified.
Tomorrow’s loser competes subsequent within the Playoff around the week of November 10 (additionally round-robin format, with seven teams of three nations) to be able to return to the Qualifying pool for 2026.
USA 3, Denmark 0
Hailey Baptiste (USA) d. Rebecca Munk Mortensen (DEN), 6-1, 6-4
Bernarda Pera (USA) d. Johanne Svendsen (DEN), 6-3, 6-1
Desirae Krawczyk/Asia Muhammad (USA) d. Laura Brunkel/Emilie Francati (DEN), 6-4, 6-1
Sunday, April 13 (3 p.m. native; 9 a.m. ET)
USA v. Slovakia
*Singles A
*Singles B
*Doubles
