Pegula propels U.S. past Austria, into Billie Jean King Cup finals | CBC Sports

Jessica Pegula sent the U.S. into the Billie Jean King Cup finals Saturday with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Austria’s Julia Grabher.

France, Spain, the Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Germany, and Italy also secured berths in the finals, scheduled for Nov. 7-12 at a site to be determined. Those nations will join reigning champion Switzerland, 2022 runner-up Australia and one wild-card recipient at the finals, with a couple spots still be determined Saturday on the second day of the two-day qualifiers.

All of those nations have won the Cup except Kazakhstan. But it has a chance now after reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina won both her matches in a 3-1 home victory over Poland, clinching a second consecutive finals berth for Kazakhstan with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Magda Linette on Saturday in Astana.

“It was a difficult match today. I felt so tired that even at the end, during the on-court interview, I didn’t understand the questions to be honest. I felt better yesterday, maybe some sort of fatigue from flying and a recent return from America to Europe,” Rybakina said.

“But, as I say, I am delighted that Kazakhstan have once again made it to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals and we will be able to fly our nation’s flag on this big stage.”

The tie between Italy and Slovakia in Bratislava, Slovakia, was on the only one to go the distance. After the hosts won two straight matches to battle back from a 2-0 deficit, Martina Trevisan and Elisabetta Cocciaretto pulled out a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory over Viktoria Hruncakova and Tereza Mihalikova in the doubles match.

Other results

Caroline Garcia secured the winning point for France in a 3-1 victory at Britain by outlasting Harriet Dart 6-1, 6-7 (10), 6-1.

Nuria Parrizas-Diaz won for the second straight day as Spain beat Mexico 3-1; and Germany rallied to beat Brazil 3-1.

Slovenia and Romania will need an extra day because rain halted the decisive doubles match after the teams split four singles matches in Koper, Slovenia. They are scheduled to resume Sunday morning at 3-3 in the first set.

Canada’s qualifier against Belgium continues Saturday with singles matches between Laval, Que., native Leylah Fernandez and Ysaline Bonaventure, and Vancouver’s Rebecca Marino and Yanina Wickmayer, before Fernandez and Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski battle Kirsten Flipkens and Greet Minnen in doubles play.