Captain Anne Keothavong mentioned her Nice Britain aspect “threw every part at it however got here up quick” after a 2-0 loss to the US within the Billie Jean King Cup semi-finals prolonged their await a maiden title.
Katie Boulter wanted to beat world quantity seven Jessica Pegula to maintain Britain within the tie after a battling Sonay Kartal misplaced to Emma Navarro within the first singles match.
However after Boulter took the primary set, Pegula fought again to win 3-6 6-4 6-2 in Shenzhen and safe a thirty first look within the closing for Lindsay Davenport’s crew.
Boulter and Kartal – who misplaced 3-6 6-4 6-3 to Navarro, a participant ranked greater than 60 locations above her – have been left to rue missed probabilities in two tight matches.
Each gamers left a number of break factors unconverted within the second and third units – Boulter solely gained two out of seven – and misplaced service video games both aspect of breaks to ask strain again on themselves.
“It is actually powerful at this time,” Keothavong mentioned. “The gamers ought to nonetheless maintain their heads excessive. I believe we actually took it to the American crew.
“You may see how a lot it meant to the gamers. They threw every part at it however got here up quick.
“It wasn’t to be this time.”
The US, probably the most profitable crew within the competitors’s historical past with 18 titles, will face defending champions Italy in Sunday’s closing.
Nice Britain have misplaced within the semi-finals 3 times prior to now 4 years whereas their most up-to-date closing look got here in 1981.
“We have come such a good distance,” Keothavong added. “We have confirmed consistency lately, difficult the easiest.
“Our ambition is to elevate that trophy sooner or later. To elevate that trophy, you have to beat a few of the greatest.”
