Raducanu Leads Britain to Billie Jean King Cup Finals 2024: Japan Makes Historic Debut
Emma Raducanu’s stellar performance led Britain to the Billie Jean King Cup finals, showcasing her resilience despite various injuries since her 2021 US Open triumph.
The young star secured a crucial victory over France’s Diane Parry, contributing to Britain’s 3-1 win at Le Portal.
After her 2021 Grand Slam breakthrough in New York, Raducanu has been dealing with back, wrist, stomach, and ankle ailments. She defeated Diane Parry 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 to win 3-1 against France at Le Portal.
Katie Boulter had taken the opening point on Saturday, defeating Clara Burel 7-5, 6-0, to tie the score at one all night.
On Friday, Raducanu, whose global ranking has dropped to 302, already defeated Caroline Garcia, the top French player.
Japan advanced to the finals for the first time, defeating Kazakhstan in Tokyo. Nao Hibino secured the victory point with a tough 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 victory over Yulia Putintseva, ranked 50th in the world.
Former world number one and four-time major winner Naomi Osaka did not participate in Saturday’s play after helping Japan defeat Putintseva on Friday to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
After missing the entire previous year to give birth to her first child, Osaka was participating in the tournament for the first time since 2020.
World No. 79 Hibino quipped, “I started wondering if it was OK for me to win my match because there were a lot of fans looking forward to watching Osaka.”
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“It was mixed emotions but I really wanted to clinch the win.” World No. 1 Iga Swiatek sent Poland, which had led 2-0 overnight in Biel, back to the finals with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Celine Naef, an 18-year-old Swiss player.
Swiatek’s squad is on the verge of sweeping 2022 champions Switzerland after she won six straight games to take a 6-4, 4-0 lead.
The 148th-ranked Naef managed to return to serve at 4-3, but four-time major champion Swiatek quickly won the next two games to seal the triumph.
Swiatek exclaimed, “I’m incredibly happy and proud of everyone.”
“It’s been a really fun week so I’m happy that this time I could lead my team to be in the finals.”
After defeating Mexico in Brisbane, the seven-time winners Australia stormed into the finals and gave captain Samantha Stosur a victorious start.
The 18-year-old Taylah Preston easily defeated Marcela Zacarias, a skilled player 12 years her senior, 6-1, 6-1, severing the tie beyond Mexico’s grasp.
“I’m just trying not to cry at the moment, to be honest,” Preston remarked.
“It’s a very, very amazing feeling and so grateful for the opportunity from Sam and the rest of the team to be able to play and close out the tie.”
Renata Jamrichova, the 16-year-old Australian Open junior winner, ensured Slovakia’s victory over Slovenia in Bratislava. Veronika Erjavec, world 203, was defeated 6-2, 6-0 by the teenager.
“It feels great to be here and that I had the trust of our captain to play the match,” Jamrichova stated.
After leading Romania 2-0 going into the second day of their qualifying match later on Saturday, Ukraine will try to qualify for the finals for the first time.
The United States leads Belgium 2-0, and Germany leads Brazil likewise.
The eight victorious nations this weekend will join hosts Spain, reigning champions Canada, 2023 runners-up Italy, and wild card Czech Republic in November’s 12-team finals in Seville.
