In a thrilling showdown at Le Portal, Emma Raducanu battled through injuries to secure a crucial victory for Great Britain, defeating Diane Parry 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 and clinching a 3-1 win over France. Despite facing setbacks since her 2021 Grand Slam breakthrough, Raducanu showcased her resilience and talent on the court, bolstering her team’s chances in the Billie Jean King Cup.
The tie was evenly poised overnight, with Katie Boulter securing the first point for Great Britain by defeating Clara Burel 7-5, 6-0 on Saturday. Raducanu’s triumph over French number one Caroline Garcia on Friday set the stage for her pivotal performance, despite her ranking plunging to 302 in the world.
Meanwhile, in Tokyo, Japan made history by reaching the finals for the first time, overcoming Kazakhstan in a hard-fought battle. Nao Hibino sealed the winning point with a gritty 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 victory over world number 50 Yulia Putintseva, showcasing Japan’s determination and skill on home turf.
In Biel, world number one Iga Swiatek led Poland to victory against Switzerland, securing a 2-0 lead overnight. Swiatek’s dominant performance against Swiss teenager Celine Naef propelled her team towards the finals, with Poland poised to challenge for the title.
Seven-time champions Australia emerged victorious in Brisbane, with Samantha Stosur leading her team to victory over Mexico. Taylah Preston’s impressive win over Marcela Zacarias secured the tie for Australia, marking a triumphant start to Stosur’s reign as captain.
In Bratislava, 16-year-old Renata Jamrichova clinched Slovakia’s win over Slovenia, showcasing her talent and earning the trust of her team’s captain. The Australian Open junior champion’s commanding victory underscored Slovakia’s strength in the competition.
As the qualifiers continue, Ukraine aims to secure their first finals berth with a commanding 2-0 lead over Romania, while the USA and Germany hold similar advantages against Belgium and Brazil, respectively. The eight winning countries will advance to November’s finals in Seville, joining hosts Spain, defending champions Canada, 2023 runners-up Italy, and wild-card Czech Republic in a bid for glory in the prestigious Billie Jean King Cup.
