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 regardless of which group we have been enjoying on no matter day, and it’s laborious 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 could possibly solely make me proud. They each competed tremendous laborious, they did every little thing we talked about all week in observe, so I’m so comfortable for Hailey, I’m so comfortable for Bernarda. It means quite a bit to them and so they actually confirmed it in the present day.
“They each obtained off to nice begins, particularly Hailey. Each of them had numerous nerves earlier than enjoying, which clearly means you care, however Hailey obtained off to a great begin and it calmed her down.
“There have been a few lengthy video games within the second set. Hailey obtained by means of one or two and was in a position to get by means of. Bernarda was a fighter. She labored so laborious in observe all week. She’s type of set the tone for all of the youthful gamers as properly. Her professionalism, and she or he was so excited to come back and symbolize the US.”
The American group will look to beat Slovakia for the primary time in three tries and avenge the 2 nations’ most up-to-date assembly, by 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) with the intention 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
#Baptiste #Pera #Lead #U.S #Win #Denmark #King #Cup
