In a stunning upset that sent shockwaves through the tennis world, Belgium eliminated the heavily favored United States team on Saturday to earn a spot in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. The Americans, who have captured the title 18 times, fell victim to one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.
The decisive moment came in Ostend, where Greet Minnen, ranked 149th in the world, delivered the knockout blow with a straight-sets triumph over Iva Jovic, winning 7-5, 6-3. This victory sends Belgium back to the finals stage for the first time in two years.
Meanwhile, Great Britain earned their finals berth with a convincing 3-1 triumph over Australia in Melbourne. The British team wrapped up their victory in the doubles competition after establishing a commanding 2-0 advantage following Friday’s individual matches.
The duo of Harriet Dart and Jodie Burrage put the finishing touches on Britain’s success, defeating Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez 6-3, 6-4. Their victory ended the Australian pair’s remarkable winning streak in doubles competition that stretched back to November 2022.
Defending champions Italy also punched their ticket to the finals following a 3-1 home victory against Japan on clay courts in Velletri. After carrying a 2-0 lead into Saturday, Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani sealed Italy’s advancement with a 6-2, 7-5 doubles victory over Shuko Aoyama and Eri Hozumi.
Ukraine earned a consecutive finals appearance with an impressive 4-0 sweep of Poland in Gliwice. Sisters Lyudmyla Kichenok and Nadiia Kichenok provided the clinching point with a hard-fought 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-3 victory over Maja Chwalinska and Martyna Kubka. Oleksandra Oliynykova then capped off Ukraine’s dominant weekend with a 6-4, 6-1 win against Linda Klimovicova.
Spain secured an insurmountable 3-1 advantage over Slovenia in Portoroz, with Aliona Bolsova and Sara Sorribes Tormo completing the qualification with a 6-4, 6-3 doubles triumph over Veronika Erjavec and Nika Radisic.
Kazakhstan advanced after Yulia Putintseva survived an epic three-hour and 39-minute battle against Canada’s Bianca Andreescu in Astana. Putintseva’s grueling 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(4) victory provided her team with an unbeatable 3-1 lead in their best-of-five matchup.
In other action, Linda Noskova kept the Czech Republic’s hopes alive by defeating Belinda Bencic 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(9) to even their series with Switzerland at 2-2, setting up a winner-take-all final singles match.
The Billie Jean King Cup Finals are scheduled to take place in Shenzhen from September 22-27, with host nation China automatically qualifying for the event.
