Billie Jean King Cup: Emma Navarro's Heroics Propel USA To Semi-Finals

The United States are back in the Billie Jean King Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2021, thanks to Emma Navarro’s gritty heroics in a dramatic quarter-final win over Kazakhstan on Thursday.

They will now face Britain, who secured a second consecutive semi-final berth after sweeping past Japan.

Navarro Leads American Charge

Navarro set the tone with a marathon 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (8/6) victory over Yulia Putintseva, saving two match points and clawing back from deficits in all three sets. The 23-year-old, playing her first full season in the competition, described the win as a matter of determination.

“Just a lot of grittiness and a lot of resilience and the pride of playing with my country’s flag on my shirt,” Navarro said.

Kazakhstan hit back

through Elena Rybakina, who produced a commanding 6-4, 6-1 win over world number seven Jessica Pegula. But Pegula quickly regrouped, returning to court alongside Taylor Townsend to seal the tie with a 6-2, 7-6 (7/1) doubles victory against Rybakina and Putintseva.

“I’m so happy and so proud of all the ladies on this team,” said USA captain Lindsay Davenport. “We didn’t come here to get to the semis. This is the first step in what we knew was going to be a tough week.”

Britain Cruise Past Japan

Earlier, Sonay Kartal gave Britain the perfect start with a composed 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) win over Ena Shibahara. The 23-year-old remains undefeated in the competition after making her debut in April.

Team leader Katie Boulter then completed the job in style, dismissing Moyuka Uchijima 6-2, 6-1 in just 68 minutes to wrap up the 2-0 victory.

“Sonay put a clinical performance out there so she makes it really easy to follow,” said Boulter, who admitted she is eager to make amends for last year’s semi-final exit to Slovakia. “We’ve got another shot at the final. Hopefully, we can keep going further. I hope this is our time now.”

(with AFP inputs)