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A composed performance from Hailey Baptiste and a gutsy comeback from Bernarda Pera propelled the U.S. Billie Jean King Cup Team into the 2025 Finals with a 2-1 victory over Slovakia on Sunday in Bratislava, securing the top spot in Qualifying Group C.
Making their Billie Jean King Cup debuts, Baptiste and Pera combined for a perfect 4-0 singles record, leading the U.S. to victories over Denmark and host Slovakia.
USA 3, Denmark 0
Hailey Baptiste (USA) def. Rebecca Munk Mortensen (DEN), 6-1 6-4Bernarda Pera (USA) def. Johanne Svendsen (DEN), 6-3 6-1Desirae Krawczyk/Asia Muhammad (USA) def. Laura Brunkel/Emilie Francati (DEN), 6-4 6-1
USA 2, Slovakia 1
Hailey Baptiste (USA) def. Renata Jamrichova (SVK), 6-3 6-4Bernarda Pera (USA) def. Rebecca Sramkova (SVK), 7-6(2) 7-5Tereza Mihalikova/Mia Pohankova (SVK) def. Desirae Krawczyk/Asia Muhammad (USA), 6-4 6-3
On Sunday, Baptiste gave Team USA a 1-0 lead in the decisive tie against Slovakia, followed by a thrilling comeback from Pera, who battled from 0-4 down in the second set to defeat world No. 37 Sramkova and clinch the team’s berth in the 2025 Finals.
The American squad saw some reshuffling ahead of the event, with Jessica Pegula, Danielle Collins, and McCartney Kessler withdrawing prior to the tie. In response, Alycia Parks, Bernarda Pera, and Hailey Baptiste were called in to join BJK Cup veterans Asia Muhammad and Desirae Krawczyk.
“It wasn’t easy coming into this tie,” said U.S. captain Lindsay Davenport. “Eventually I was left with players that really wanted to be here and really wanted to play for your country. That’s really all you can ask for as a captain.”
Bernarda Pera, who was a late addition to the roster, expressed her joy and disbelief after securing the win:
“Oh my god, it feels amazing. Who would have thought? On Monday I was practicing onclay getting ready to play in Rouen, and I got a call from Lindsay saying they need a playerhere. And I was so nervous coming here, first time being on the team. And yeah, I’m superhappy and super excited to get the win.
Honestly I’m so overwhelmed with the emotions. I’m so happy. I just told Lindsay this hasbeen one of the best weeks ever. I had so much fun with the team. The girls are amazing.”
With the Qualifying Group C victory, Team USA now advances to the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Finals, set to take place September 16–21 in Shenzhen, China. They will join Italy, China, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Spain, Great Britain, and Japan in the elite eight-nation showdown.
