Baptiste, Pera Lead U.S. Win over Denmark in King Cup

By Tennis Now | @Tennis_Now | Saturday, April 12, 2025
Picture credit score: Hameltion/Wikimedia Commons

Hailey Baptiste and Bernarda Pera each gained their Billie Jean King Cup debuts to guide america previous Denmark, 3-0, on Saturday in Bratislava to arrange a decisive Qualifying tie vs. hosts Slovakia on Sunday with a visit to the 2025 Finals on the road.

“We knew it was going to be a troublesome weekend regardless of which crew we had been enjoying on no matter day, and it’s exhausting whenever you’re anticipated to win,” U.S. captain Lindsay Davenport mentioned. “Clearly we had been the favorites in opposition to Denmark, however so proud how two rookies performed a few of their greatest tennis, it will possibly solely make me proud. They each competed tremendous exhausting, they did all the things we talked about all week in apply, so I’m so blissful for Hailey, I’m so blissful for Bernarda. It means so much to them they usually actually confirmed it right now.

“They each obtained off to nice begins, particularly Hailey. Each of them had numerous nerves earlier than enjoying, which clearly means you care, however Hailey obtained off to begin and it calmed her down.

“There have been a few lengthy video games within the second set. Hailey obtained by way of one or two and was capable of get by way of. Bernarda was a fighter. She labored so exhausting in apply all week. She’s sort of set the tone for all of the youthful gamers as properly. Her professionalism, and she or he was so excited to return and signify america.”

The American crew will look to beat Slovakia for the primary time in three tries and avenge the 2 nations’ most up-to-date assembly, during which Slovakia narrowly eradicated the U.S. from the 2024 Finals in a third-set doubles tiebreak.

Tomorrow’s winner qualifies for the eight-nation Finals held September 16-21 in Shenzhen, China. Italy, China, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Spain have all already certified.

Tomorrow’s loser competes subsequent within the Playoff around the week of November 10 (additionally round-robin format, with seven teams of three nations) with the intention to return to the Qualifying pool for 2026.