‘Nothing to lose’ – how GB match up against US

Britain face their most difficult test yet against a talented American team, which has already reached a third Billie Jean King Cup semi-final in four years.

Katie Boulter and Sonay Kartal will likely need to defeat world number 18 Emma Navarro to reach a first final since 1981.

The two nations haven’t met at the tournament in 33 years, but the US has historically won favor there.

The BJK Cup, which were previously known as the Fed Cup and Federation Cup, was won by them nine of the past ten times, but the only other triumph came in 1970 against a team that included Virginia Wade, a three-time major champion, in which year they were the only winners.

However, Anne Keothavong’s team showed remarkable determination in their quest to reach another semi-final, even with Emma Raducanu, the team’s top player, opting to compete in a WTA Tour event in Seoul this week.

British number two Boulter has had a difficult tour season, and her first-round defeat at the US Open saw her leave the top 50.

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

GB’s place in the semi-finals will be secured by her most recent appearance against Moyuka Uchijima from Japan.

The American reached the semi-finals of the US Open last month, one of the best players on the tour, and hasn’t dropped out of the top 10 in three years.

Elena Rybakina, the former Wimbledon champion, defeated Pegula in the quarter-final against Kazakhstan.

The 31-year-old, who is currently the US’s 19th title holder, won the decisive doubles match with Taylor Townsend.

Boulter claimed that the tie between GB and GB meant “nothing.”

“It’s a new opportunity to be in the semi-finals.” Down the other end, there are some elite tennis players. Additionally, they are unsure of our capabilities, according to Boulter.

Russell Fuller, a tennis analyst,

This Great Britain team’s assertion is not bluff-worthy. They have now reached the semi-finals three times in four years and have now won seven of their previous eight ties.

However, Anne Keothavong’s captaincy would probably be’s greatest achievement to defeat the United States.

At the United Nations Cup on New Year’s Eve in 2023, GB may need to emulate Katie Boulter’s spirit to accomplish this.

Boulter came back from a set and 3-0 down to win the match in mesmerizing fashion in Perth after her only previous encounter with world number seven Jessica Pegula.

Boulter and some steadfast defense both had the expected forehand winners, as well as numerous points won at the net.

At the time, Boulter enjoyed a lot of freedom and confidence. She had little confidence in her serve and just one win in seven matches when she entered these Finals.

After making changes to that service action at home, she claims she now feels like “a new version” of herself, and it will have to be her best version if Pegula’s aggressive ball striking is to be matched.

Since making her BJK Cup debut earlier this year, world number 82 Kartal has won all three of her matches.

Kartal, who reached a career-high of 44 after reaching Wimbledon’s fourth round for the first time this year, has experienced a remarkable rise in the rankings over the past 18 months.

Her fearless mindset and aggressiveness make her a valuable asset for Keothavong’s team. while also this year, she has taken a few top-20 spots.

GB got off to a winning start in the quarter-final against Japan’s Ena Shibahara with a powerful win, and the 23-year-old will hope to do that on Saturday as well.

Russell Fuller, a tennis analyst,

Emma Navarro was Sonay Kartal’s previous encounter less positive. In Ilkley’s grass courts over the summer of 2023, the 23-year-old only managed to win three games.

She takes pride in being a disrupter and has proven to be a powerful opponent-bearer.

However, Navarro is unlikely to fade quickly. She plays cat and mouse, moves well, and excels at defending herself.

Jodie Burrage and Fran Jones may be called upon if the tie between the United States and Japan is level after two matches, but GB did not require their doubles players’ services.

Burrage and Boulter’s team’s winning partnership came in the way of the decisive doubles match against the Netherlands in April, clinching GB’s place in the Finals.

A doubles match between Pegula and Townsend, who is also the world’s number one doubles player, would once more put the country to the test.