‘Hopefully our time now’ – GB into BJK Cup semis

After a remarkable 2-0 victory over Japan, Katie Boulter says she is optimistic that Great Britain will win the first Billie Jean King Cup.

On Thursday, Boulter and Sonay Kartal won their singles matches, setting up a last-four showdown with the United States.

The 18-time champions would make it their first final in 44 years and fifth overall if Britain defeated them.

No country has ever defeated Britain in a BJK Cup final without winning it. No other country has ever reached the tournament four times.

The Netherlands were defeated 2-1 in April by Boulter and Jodie Burrage in a superb doubles performance, which shows that they are continuing their winning streak in Shenzhen.

This team showed a lot of heart earlier in the year, according to Boulter.

“The team deserves to be here, and we can probably reach the championship game.” Hopefully, we are now in a position.

In contrast to Emma Raducanu, who withdrew at the beginning of September and chose to concentrate on the WTA Tour, Boulter is the nation’s top singles player in China.

However, despite her absence, Britain dominated against Japan, with Boulter ruthlessly defeating Moyuka Uchijima 6-2 6-1 and Kartal winning 6-3 7-6 (7-4) in Ena Shibahara.

Boulter has had a difficult singles season, and she fell short of the top 50 after losing in the US Open in the opening round.

But she has always done impressive for her country, winning 17 of her 23 matches for the British.

Boulter’s serving was strong throughout against Uchijima, with the Briton capturing 70% of first-serve points.

Boulter reeled off the next three games to take the first set after the opening game’s fifth break.

With a break at the start of the second set, Boulter kept that momentum going, always featuring Uchijima in her aggressive play.

Boulter put on two more breaks to take the win, but the pressure eventually became too great.

According to Boulter, “I tried my hardest to concentrate on myself while staying out there as much as possible.”

Since making her Wimbledon debut earlier this year, world number 82 Kartal has won all three of her BJK Cup matches. She reached the fourth round for the first time this summer.

Kartal won back-to-back breaks to lead Shibahara, but Kartal was unshakeable and in charge right away.

Shibahara initially appeared anxious, but when she won eight points in a row to reclaim her 4-3 lead, she quickly shifted her focus.

However, Kartal put a restraint behind her, putting an end to Shibahara’s run with a love that once more stung her rival. Kartal took advantage of the Japanese’s opening set by making errors in the service game.

Kartal had to dig deep to avoid a 4-4 break-point chance in the second set, which was much closer.

Kartal won the tie-break with a victory on her second match point despite being unable to break the obstinate Shibahara’s serve.

“I knew it was going to be difficult in the slightest because Japan’s] entire team is very tough,” Kartal said.