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09/18 04:30 CDT US into Billie Jean King Cup semifinals after beating Kazakhstan
US into Billie Jean King Cup semifinals after beating Kazakhstan
SHENZHEN, China (AP) --- Jessica Pegula and Taylor Townsend sent the United
States into the Billie Jean King Cup semifinals for the first time since 2021
after beating Kazakhstan 2-1 on Thursday.
Pegula and Townsend topped Yulia Putintseva and Elena Rybakina 6-2, 7-6 (1) in
the deciding doubles.
In singles, Emma Navarro defeated Putintseva 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (6) and Rybakina
evened the quarterfinal by dispatching Pegula 6-4, 6-1.
Townsend, a two-time major doubles champion, created some controversy this week
in comments about Chinese food.
The U.S. will play Japan or Britain in the semifinals on Saturday.
Japan and Britain play their quarterfinal later Thursday.
In the other half of the draw, Ukraine faces defending champion Italy in the
semifinals on Friday. Marta Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina won singles matches
over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro and Paula Badosa, respectively, to put Ukraine
through to the final four. Italy beat host China.
The BJK Cup was formerly known as the Fed Cup, and the United States is the
most successful team as an 18-time winner, but not since 2017.
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
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