By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, September 18, 2025
Photo Credit: AFP/Getty
The skills of the doubles enabled the United States to return to the Billie Cup semifinal Jean King.
Jessica Pegula AND Taylor Townsend defeated Elena Rybakina AND Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 7-6 (1) USA 2-1 clinic team win over Kazakhstan in the Billie King Cup’s quarterfinals Thursday at Shenzhen Bay Center Arena in Shenzhen, China.
“We just raised our level, a kind of committed to the things we were doing before they worked,” Townsend said afterwards. “We were just focused on doing the right things, having great energy.
“We had great energy at the borders from our team and Lindsay (Davenport) in the bench. It always helps a lot when there are so many positivity flowing. We really have had a great time there. It feels good to win.”
Earlier, Emma Navarro gave a heroic show.
Navarro saved two matches in the third set connector by coming out by fiery Putintseva 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (6) in a marathon match to attend a 1-0 lead. Putintseva actually won two more points in total (103 in 101), but Navarro hanged fiercely and won the main points in the set third connector.
“I don’t know about a key, but perhaps only a lot of bitterness and a lot of resistance and pride of
Playing with the flag of my country in my shirt, knowing the support I had on the side, seeing and seeing my teammates who cheered me, “Navarro said after a determined effort.” There is another type of
Energy when you can look up and see it. Yes, I think a little from Team USA, a little pride of the team and a lot of bitterness today. “
Former Wimbledon Rybakina winner destroyed nine aces by reaping Pegula 6-4, 6-1 to level the connection and force the decisive pairs match.
Captain Lindsay Davenport’s team advanced to her first Billie Jean King Cup semifinal since 2021, where she will face Japan on Saturday at 5am. That semifinal will be television by Tenis Channel.
Captain Davenport cited her team’s competitive character as a key to victory today.
“So happy and so proud of all the ladies in this team. We knew it would be so harsh when we saw the draw a few months ago,” Davenport said. “We got into a big battle today. Emma was extraordinary in hanging around and revealing a way to draw a match that I’m not sure she would win at some point. Saving a few points of match …
“We knew it was the one we really wanted to win and get the connection at a good moment. Rybakina played so well. Wasn’t Jess doing there. Over the environments, she is hitting her services, hitting her shots on the ground like this.
“We knew in pairs that we had a great advantage. Two of the best pairs in the world. Both are ranked first in the world. We are very happy to be able to play again on Saturday.”
The last time SH.BA was in the semifinals was at the final event of 2021 in Prague, where he lost to the Russian-Kampion Russian tennis federation. The latest appearance of the US team was in 2018, also in Prague against the Czecheke Republic in the old home format and far.
Italy will face Ukraine in the other semifinal group for 5 afternoon.
Billie Jean King Cup results
quarterfinal
USA 2, Kazakhstan 1
Thursday, September 18
Emma Navarro (USA) D. Yulia Putintseva (Kaz), 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (6)
Elena Rybakina (Kaz) d. Jessica Pegula (US), 6-4, 6-1
Pegula/Taylor Townsend (USA) D. Rybakina/Putintseva, 6-2, 7-6 (1)
Next match
semis
USA v. JPN/GBR
Saturday, September 20 (5 afternoon local; 5 AM et)
Single A (US No. 2 v. GBR/JPN No. 2)
Single B (US No. 1 v. GBR/JPN No. 1)
duplicate
