By Tennis Now | @Tennis_Now | Saturday, April 12, 2025
Photograph credit score: Hameltion/Wikimedia Commons
Hailey Baptiste and Bernarda Pera each received 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 had been enjoying on no matter day, and it’s arduous while you’re anticipated to win,” U.S. captain Lindsay Davenport stated. “Clearly we had been the favorites in opposition to Denmark, however so proud how two rookies performed a few of their finest tennis, it may possibly solely make me proud. They each competed tremendous arduous, they did all the things we talked about all week in observe, so I’m so pleased for Hailey, I’m so pleased for Bernarda. It means so much to them they usually actually confirmed it at this time.
“They each acquired off to nice begins, particularly Hailey. Each of them had lots of nerves earlier than enjoying, which clearly means you care, however Hailey acquired off to a very good begin and it calmed her down.
“There have been a few lengthy video games within the second set. Hailey acquired by way of one or two and was in a position to get by way of. Bernarda was a fighter. She labored so arduous in observe all week. She’s sort of set the tone for all of the youthful gamers as effectively. Her professionalism, and she or he was so excited to return and characterize 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, 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 a purpose 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
