From tennis now | @Tennis_now | Saturday, April 12, 2025
Photo Credit: Hameltion/Wikimedia Commons
Hailey baptiste AND Bernarda Pera The two won their Billie Jean King Cup debuts to lead the United States last Denmark, 3-0, on Saturday in Bratislava to set up a qualifying qualifying tie against Slovakia hosts on Sunday’s trip to 2025 finals.
“We knew it would be a difficult weekend no matter which team we were playing in any day, and it’s hard when you are expected to win,” US Captain Lindsay Davenport He said “Of course we were favorites against Denmark, but as proud of how the two rookies played some of their best tennis, it can only make me proud. They both raced super strong, they did everything we talked about all week in practice, so I’m so happy about Hailey, I’m so happy for Bernarda.
“They both set out in the great beginnings, especially Hailey. They both had a lot of nerves before they played, which obviously means you cared, but Hailey left for a good start and that calmed it down.
“There were two long games in the second set. Hailey passed one or two and was able to pass. Bernarda was a fighter. She worked so hard all week. She is a kind of tone for all the youngest players as well. Her professionalism, and she was so excited to come and represent the United States.”
The US team will look to defeat Slovakia for the first time in three rehearsals and retaliate at the latest meeting of the two nations, in which Slovakia closely eliminated SH.BA from the finals of 2024 in a double Tiebreak of the third set.
Tomorrow’s winner qualifies for the final of the eight Nations held September 16-21 in Shenzhen, China. Italy, China, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Spain have already qualified.
Tomorrow’s loser competes on the November 10th Play off (also round-robe format, with seven groups of three nations) in order to return to the qualifying pool for 2026.
USA 3, Denmark 0
Hailey Baptiste (USA) d. Rebecca Munk Mortenssen (Den), 6-1, 6-4
Bernarda Pera (USA) d. Johanne Svenni (Den), 6-3, 6-1
Desirae Krawczyk/Asia Muhammad (USA) d. Laura Brunkel/Emilie France (Den), 6-4, 6-1
Sunday, April 13 (3 Afternoon Local; 9 AM et)
US in Slovakia
*Bachelors a
*Bachelors b
*Doubles
