GB in must-win territory at BJK Cup after Kartal loss

After Sonay Kartal’s battle with Emma Navarro fell to the United States’ Emma Navarro with a 1-0 lead, Great Britain will need to come from behind to reach the Billie Jean King Cup final.

After going a set and a break up, Kartal, who is currently ranked more than 60 places below Navarro, had intended to win her third title against a player who was in the top 20 this year.

However, Navarro fought back to beat Kartal 33-66-46-3 to give the US the lead after saving two set points against Yulia Putintseva from Kazakhstan in the quarter-finals.

Katie Boulter must defeat Jessica Pegula to keep the world number three tie with the other two.

The United States have Taylor Townsend, the best doubles player in the world, on their bench, and if Boulter wins, the tie would be decided by the doubles.

Britain is attempting to reach the final for the first time in 44 years while competing in the semi-finals for the third time in four years.

Kartal broke her serve in the opening nine minutes of play, but she quickly reacted to those early nerves, winning the subsequent four games and turning on all three of her break point opportunities to win the first set.

Occasionally, Navarro turned out to be her worst enemy. She produced a large number of forehand errors and failed to win a point on her second serve.

Kartal excelled in the opening set, dominating their baseline exchanges, and building winner after winner using both her athleticism and the court’s full width.

Her self-assurance was on full display when she deftly chased down a drop shot before nailing a smashing winner to finish the set in style with a hold-to-love.

Kartal broke immediately in the second set and again in the fifth game, but Navarro reacted right away.

Then, a more erratic Kartal gave Navarro three set points, with the second of which she added to bring the match level.

The resilient Navarro saved two break points in the opening game and broke exchanged halfway through the decider, which continued to grow in momentum.