By Tennis Now | @Tennis_Now | Saturday, April 12, 2025
Photograph credit score: Hameltion/Wikimedia Commons
Hailey Baptiste and Bernarda Pera each gained their Billie Jean King Cup debuts to steer 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 tough weekend regardless of which workforce we have been enjoying on no matter day, and it’s onerous if you’re anticipated to win,” U.S. captain Lindsay Davenport stated. “Clearly we have been the favorites towards Denmark, however so proud how two rookies performed a few of their greatest tennis, it will possibly solely make me proud. They each competed tremendous onerous, they did every thing we talked about all week in observe, so I’m so joyful for Hailey, I’m so joyful for Bernarda. It means lots to them they usually actually confirmed it at present.
“They each bought off to nice begins, particularly Hailey. Each of them had quite a lot of nerves earlier than enjoying, which clearly means you care, however Hailey bought off to a very good begin and it calmed her down.
“There have been a few lengthy video games within the second set. Hailey bought by one or two and was capable of get by. Bernarda was a fighter. She labored so onerous in observe all week. She’s form 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 workforce will look to beat Slovakia for the primary time in three tries and avenge the 2 nations’ most up-to-date assembly, during which 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
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