Arizona Tribune - Czechs down USA to complete BJK Cup semi-finals line-up

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Czechs down USA to complete BJK Cup semi-finals line-up / Photo: CRISTINA QUICLER - AFP

Czechs down USA to complete BJK Cup semi-finals line-up

SPORTS 10.11.2023

Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova won the decisive doubles rubber against the United States to seal Friday's tie and claim the last place in the Billie Jean King Cup semi-finals.

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Krejcikova and Siniakova beat Danielle Collins and Taylor Townsend 6-3, 7-5 to secure top spot in Group A and set up a showdown with Canada in Seville on Saturday for a spot in the final.

Collins gave the USA -- the record 18-time winners -- the ideal start with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Siniakova, but Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova thrashed Sofia Kenin 6-1, 6-1 in the second singles.

The Czechs are bidding for a 12th title and first since 2018, the last in a run of six in eight years.

Their rivals Canada are appearing in the semi-finals for the first time since 1988.

Earlier on Friday, Kaja Juvan helped Slovenia seal their berth in the last four with a straight-sets demolition of Kazakhstan's Anna Danilina.

Juvan, ranked 104 in the world, crushed 814th-ranked Danilina 6-1, 6-0 in 53 minutes.

Teammate Tamara Zidansek won the first set of the second rubber against Yulia Putintseva to ensure Slovenia finished top of Group B and join Italy and Canada in the semi-finals of the women's team event.

Zidansek bagged the first set 6-2 but lost the second by the same score before she pulled out, safe in the knowledge it was enough for Slovenia to progress.

Kazakhstan won the doubles and the tie 2-1, but it will be the Slovenians who meet Italy on Saturday. The Italians qualified on Thursday by finishing first in Group D.

France beat Germany 3-0 in a dead rubber on Friday to take second in the group.

Clara Burel put France on the right track by beating Julie Niemeier 6-4, 6-3.

Then newcomer Varvara Gracheva won the second singles rubber after German rival Tatjana Maria retired while leading 3-0.

Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic defeated Niemeier and Laura Siegemund in the doubles.

The 2022 edition was won by Switzerland, who beat Australia, but both nations were eliminated in the group stage this year.

A.Taylor--AT