The Brits are via to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for the third yr working.
The Brits are via to the BJK Cup Finals (Picture: Getty)
The British Billie Jean King Cup squad booked their spot in September’s BJK Cup Finals with a shocking upset over Australia. Staff GB had a 2-0 lead over the sturdy Aussie squad going into day two of their qualifier tie in Melbourne’s John Cain Enviornment. And Jodie Burrage and Harriet Dart partnered as much as beat the skilled doubles pairing of Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez 6-3 6-4 to ship Britain into Finals week.
Day one of many tie noticed 17-year-old debutant Mika Stojsavljevic, ranked down at No. 275 on the planet, trigger a large shock when she beat world No. 56 Talia Gibson 7-6(4) 7-5. Then, Harriet Dart got here from a set all the way down to beat Kimberly Birrell.
The Brits have been huge underdogs going into the qualifier tie, as Britain’s 4 highest-ranked gamers, Emma Raducanu, Sonay Kartal, Katie Boulter, and Francesca Jones, didn’t symbolize the crew. Kartal had initially signed up for the squad however pulled out resulting from a again damage, which additionally compelled her out of the latest Miami Open.
Raducanu, Boulter and Jones opted to not make the journey Down Below to compete on onerous courts concurrently the start of the European clay swing. However Staff GB didn’t miss its high gamers, with Burrage, Dart and Stojsavljevic stepping as much as sweep the tie 3-0.
Dart and Burrage joined forces in doubles for the very first time, and rallied to win 5 video games in a row after going 1-3 down within the first set. They usually got here out on high in a rollercoaster second set, which noticed 5 breaks of serve, incomes Britain a spot within the BJK Cup Finals for the third yr working.
Afterwards, doubles world No. 129 Dart stated: “We knew it was going to be an extremely powerful match. They’re two nice gamers, and so they play plenty of doubles, and it was our first time taking part in collectively. It’s a bit loopy, really, as a result of we performed fairly properly, didn’t we? But it surely’s such an honour to symbolize GB and to have the ability to make the finals as properly is type of surreal.”
Burrage, who had not performed a aggressive match of any variety since September, added: “That feels wonderful. I’m pleased with us for the best way that we performed, the best way that we got here out and managed to shut that out.”
Jodie Burrage and Harriet Dart received the doubles rubber to ship Britain into the BJK Cup Finals (Picture: Getty)
Britain’s Katie Swan went on to lose a lifeless rubber to Australian teenager Emerson Jones. However the Brits are via to the BJK Cup Finals, an eight-team showdown going down in Shenzhen this September. Staff GB reached the semi-finals in 2024 and 2025, and are eyeing one other massive run after inflicting an upset in Australia.
“We’re all simply overjoyed. Look, it’s been an unbelievable week right here in Melbourne, and the tennis that was performed yesterday and as we speak was simply improbable. I couldn’t actually ask something extra of my crew. I’m so pleased with them. We got here right here, and we did it, ladies,” crew captain Anne Keothavong stated after reaching the Finals for the third straight yr.
“We’ve travelled to the opposite aspect of the world, and you understand, it’s an enormous ask of the gamers right now of yr. And figuring out that taking part in at dwelling isn’t simple, and on paper, the Aussies have been the favourites. And even as we speak, despite the fact that yesterday was wonderful for us, being 2-0 up, I don’t suppose we may go away something to probability as we speak.
“Definitely, in my head, sure, the gamers got a sport plan which they have been in a position to execute, and so they have been in a position to carry out. So in my head, it’s type of making ready for that fifth rubber and also you simply gotta be prepared for all eventualities. And the rest is a bonus, and it is sensible. However, like I stated, I am simply so pleased with all of the gamers for what they have been in a position to do, and in tough circumstances.”
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