U.S. Wins Qualifier, Will Play 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Nov.
April 16, 2023
The ITF has announced the results from the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifiers, which took place in nine cities around the world this past weekend.
Canada, Czechia, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Slovenia, Spain and USA all secured their places at the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals, joining 2022 champions Switzerland and 2022 runners-up Australia. The host venue for the Finals, which take place on 7-12 November 2023, will be announced in due course, as will the 12th team to compete at the event.
The nine losing nations from this weekend (Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Great Britain, Mexico, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine) will compete in the 2023 Play-offs on 10-11 or 11-12 November, alongside the seven teams who won promotion from the three regional Group I events which took place this week: Argentina and Colombia (from Americas Group I); Japan and Korea, Rep. (from Asia/Oceania Group I); and Hungary, Netherlands and Sweden (from Europe/Africa Group I).
There were dramatic scenes in Koper as Slovenia recovered from 0-2 down against Romania to record just the eighth successful comeback from 0-2 down in Billie Jean King Cup history – and the first since France defeated Italy 3-2 in 2015. Kaja Juvan and Tamara Zidansek overcame Irina Maria Bara and Monica Niculescu in the decisive doubles match, which was suspended due to poor weather on Saturday evening and completed on Sunday afternoon.
Two other Qualifier ties this weekend went to the decisive doubles match: Canada defeated Belgium in Vancouver thanks to a doubles victory for Gabriela Dabrowski and Leylah Fernandez, while Italy denied Slovakia’s bid for a famous comeback win, with Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Martina Trevisan triumphing in a dramatic doubles encounter with Viktoria Hruncakova and Tereza Mihalikova.
Other notable results this weekend included excellent performances from the Wimbledon champion, Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, the world No. 3, USA’s Jessica Pegula, and the world No. 5, France’s Caroline Garcia – that trio each won two singles matches to lead their teams to victories over Poland, Austria and Great Britain, respectively.
Elsewhere, Spain were comfortable winners against Mexico, while Czechia defeated Ukraine and Germany saw off Brazil.
For more information, including reports from all nine ties plus photos and videos, visit the Billie Jean King Cup website and follow the competition on social media.