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☆ U.S. finishes Billie Jean King Cup qualifying unbeaten
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Each best-of-five series consists of two singles matches on the first day, then the reverse singles matches followed by a doubles match on the second day. The doubles match pitting Juvan and Zidansek against Irina Bara and Monica Niculescu was suspended at 3-3 in the first set. Jule Niemeier posted a three-set win over Beatriz Haddad Maia, and then Anna-Lena Friedsam lost only one game in defeating Laura Pigossi. Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina handed Poland's Magda Linette her second loss in two days to clinch the 3-1 series win in Astana, Kazakhstan. After Fernandez's three-set win over Ysaline Bonaventure, Belgium's Greet Minnen again knotted the match with a three-set win over Katherine Sebov.

☆ Slovenia stage comeback to beat Romania in delayed BJK Cup qualifier
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Tennis - Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers - Slovenia v Romania - Sport Park Bonifika, Koper, Slovenia - April 14, 2023 Slovenia's Tamara Zidansek reacts during her singles match against Romania's Jaqueline Cristian REUTERS/Borut ZivulovicApril 16 (Reuters) - Slovenia pulled off a remarkable comeback to beat Romania and reach the Billie Jean King Cup finals in a qualifying tie that was held over to Sunday because of rain. The deciding doubles rubber in Koper saw home pair Kaja Juvan and Tamara Zidansek come from a set down to beat Romanian duo Irina Maria Bara and Monica Niculescu 4-6 6-2 6-4. Slovenia joined eight other nations who qualified for the 12-nation final that will be contested in November. Romania looked in complete control after winning both of Friday's singles rubbers, but Slovenia hit back on Saturday. Zidansek beat Ana Bogdan 3-6 7-6(4) 7-5 and Juvan overcame Jaqueline Cristian in straight sets to take it to a decider.

☆ Kazakhstan through to Billie Jean King Cup finals, France ease past Britain
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Tennis - Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers - Kazakhstan v Poland - National Tennis Centre - Beeline Arena, Astana, Kazakhstan - April 15, 2023 Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina celebrates with teammates after winning her singles match against Poland's Magda Linette REUTERS/Pavel MikheyevApril 15 (Reuters) - Kazakhstan advanced to the Billie Jean King Cup finals for the second time after defeating Poland 3-1 in their qualifier on Saturday while France brushed aside last year's semi-finalists Britain. Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina had helped Kazakhstan build a 2-0 lead on Friday and the world number seven had no trouble dispatching Magda Linette 6-4 6-2 to give her side an unassailable lead in Astana. The best-of-five qualifiers featured two singles matches on Friday and two reverse singles plus a doubles rubber on Saturday. Poland, without injured world number one Iga Swiatek, finally got on the board as Weronika Falkowska and Alicja Rosolska won 6-4 6-4 in what was essentially a dead rubber. Garcia got the double break and the world number five served out the set to secure France's place in the Finals.

☆ Krejcikova to donate Billie Jean King Cup earnings to Turkey earthquake victims
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] Tennis - Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers - Ukraine v Czech Republic - Megasary Club Belek, Antalya, Turkey - April 14, 2023 Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova and Ukraine's Katarina Zavatska shake hands after their singles match REUTERS/Umit BektasApril 14 (Reuters) - Czech tennis player Barbora Krejcikova said on Friday she will donate her Billie Jean King Cup earnings to Turkey's earthquake victims. The earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6 killed more than 55,000 people. Former French Open champion Krejcikova, who is currently playing in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers against Ukraine in the Turkish city of Antalya, said the funds would support tennis players in the affected regions. "The money will directly help the Turkish population from regions that have been affected by the earthquake, especially local tennis players that have lost close to everything," the 27-year-old said in a statement. loadingReporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Keothavong hopes Peng safe but says WTA's China return good for the game's finances
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 14 (Reuters) - The WTA's decision to end its China boycott over concerns about Peng Shuai will generate much-needed revenue for the women's tennis tour and provide more financial opportunities for players, Britain's Anne Keothavong said. Former player Keothavong, now captain of Britain's Billie Jean King Cup team, said she hoped Peng was safe but that ultimately "tennis is a business". The WTA's decision to suspend tournaments in the country is expected to have cost it hundreds of millions of dollars in broadcasting and sponsorship revenue. "One is that we hope Peng is OK and secondly it's just an excitement to have tournaments on the calendar. Yaqiu Wang, a senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch, said the WTA's decision was a "huge disappointment" and called for Peng's case to be kept in the public eye.

☆ Alcaraz signs up for relaunched Hopman Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Feb 28 (Reuters) - World number two Carlos Alcaraz will headline the Hopman Cup as the relaunched mixed-gender team event returns to the tennis calendar after a four-year absence in June. The 19-year-old Alcaraz will be part of the Spain team, one of three confirmed by the International Tennis Federation on Tuesday, alongside Paula Badosa. "Alongside the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup, the Hopman Cup is another ITF event that gives players the opportunity to represent their countries, and compete for something bigger than themselves," ITF President David Haggerty said at a news conference. The last edition of the competition, which began in 1989 and was named after Australian great Harry Hopman, saw Roger Federer lead Switzerland to the title against Germany. The Hopman Cup has a rival in the United Cup mixed-gender team event, featuring 18 nations playing matches across three Australian cities, taking place before this year's Australian Open.

☆ Djokovic’s dad stays away from Australian Open semifinal after posing with Russian flag
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Novak Djokovic’s father decided to stay away from the 21-time Grand Slam champion’s semifinal after getting embroiled in a flap involving spectators who brought banned Russian flags to Melbourne Park, Tennis Australia said Friday. “Throughout the event, we’ve spoken with players and their teams about the importance of not engaging in any activity that causes distress or disruption,” Tennis Australia said. Four people were kicked out of the tournament because of the flags and for threatening security guards that night, police and Tennis Australia said. A supporter waves a Russian flag during the men's singles match between on day one of the Australian Open in Melbourne. William West / AFP - Getty ImagesNormally, flags can be displayed during matches at Melbourne Park.

☆ Grand Slam Board says safeguarding Davis Cup is a priority
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MELBOURNE, Jan 27 (Reuters) - All four tennis Grand Slams will make it a priority to safeguard the Davis Cup men's team tournament, the governing body of the sport's most prestigious events said on Friday, two weeks after the ITF's partnership with investment group Kosmos ended. "Protecting the heritage of the sport and safeguarding major teams competitions such as the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup is a priority for the global tennis community and will appropriately get the Grand Slams' full attention," the Grand Slam board said in a statement. The board added that the Grand Slam tournaments were united in their support for the Davis Cup "recognising its historical significance and important role in growing engagement in our sport around the world." The ITF welcomed the statement and said it was looking forward to "leading further positive conversations" with the Grand Slam Board and the ATP in the build-up to this year's Davis Cup. "We are excited for another successful edition of the Davis Cup in 2023 and look forward to discussions to continue the future growth of the competition," the governing body added.

☆ Belarusian and Russian charge in Melbourne throws spotlight on Wimbledon ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

On Friday, Russia's Karen Khachanov faces Stefanos Tsitsipas as he bids to reach his first Grand Slam final. With the conflict in Ukraine showing no sign of ending, a decision about Russian and Belarussian players competing at the All England Club is pressing. Australian Open organisers even banned Russian and Belarusian flags from Melbourne Park last week after a complaint from Ukraine's ambassador to the country. 'SITUATION NO-ONE WANTS'Nine-times Australian Open champion Djokovic has urged Wimbledon to allow Russian and Belarus players to enter the 2023 tournament, a view also backed by American great John McEnroe. "I disagreed with it last year that Wimbledon didn't allow the Russians or Belarusian players to play.

☆ Pliskova rues misfiring serve after Australian Open exit
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The former world number one slipped into the second week of the tournament with little fanfare and reached her second straight Grand Slam quarter-final after her run at last year's U.S. Open. "Super disappointed about today, because I just thought this was a match which I should win and I could win," Pliskova, who missed last year's tournament due to an arm fracture, told reporters. "Obviously the serve was not great today at all. I have been serving really well for like all my matches, and pretty much like for the last two, three weeks." "I think she really made it like difficult for me, not missing many balls, not giving anything for free, any mistakes.

☆ Australian Open bans flags from Russia, Belarus on site
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Flags from Russia and Belarus were banned from the site of the Australian Open on Tuesday after more than one was brought into the stands by spectators on Day 1 of the year’s first Grand Slam tournament. Normally, flags can be displayed during matches at Melbourne Park. Another was offered to Russian player Daniil Medvedev to autograph after his 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 win over Marcos Giron in Rod Laver Arena on Monday night. “I mean, if everyone feels better this way, then it’s OK,” said Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam semifinalist who is seeded No. Russia invaded, with help from Belarus, in February.

☆ Fritz delivers as U.S. win inaugural United Cup crown
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Tennis - United Cup - Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney, Australia - January 8, 2023 Taylor Fritz of the U.S. reacts during his match in the final against Italy's Matteo Berrettini REUTERS/Asanka Brendon RatnayakeSYDNEY, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Taylor Fritz edged Matteo Berrettini 7-6(4) 7-6(6) as the United States justified their status as favourites to outclass Italy in a one-sided final at the inaugural United Cup mixed team tournament on Sunday. It's amazing for the team to win this event. We came in with really high hopes, or at least I did," Fritz said. SHOULDER INJURYA shoulder injury forced the 20-year-old Musetti to concede to Tiafoe after his first serve of the second set. The Americans top the table with most titles in the Davis Cup (32), Billie Jean King Cup (18) and Hopman Cup (6).

☆ Switzerland beat Australia to win first Billie Jean King Cup title
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The teams also clashed in the semi-finals of last year's event in Prague, where Teichmann overcame Sanders and Bencic defeated Tomljanovic before Switzerland went on to finish runners-up to Russia. Seven-times winners Australia had beaten hosts Britain in the semi-final and were seeking their first title since 1974. Australia had replaced the Russian team in this year's competition after the country was banned from defending its Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup titles following its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine. Switzerland became the 12th different country to win the tournament, formerly known as the Fed Cup, and the first new champions since Italy in 2006. "You saw how many close points there were, who knows why we win some and lose some.

☆ Australia knock out Britain in nail-biting BJK Cup semis
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Storm Sanders was Australia's hero after she won the first singles rubber before returning for the deciding doubles match alongside 38-year-old Samantha Stosur. It's a real honour to represent Australia in the final," Sanders said in a post-match interview while Stosur said "nobody deserved to lose that one". Britain, who reached the semi-finals for the first time in 41 years, started poorly as Sanders put Australia on the board when she beat Heather Watson 6-4 7-6(3) in the opening singles match. With the home crowd firmly behind Dart, she served for the set and Tomljanovic's return went long on the first match point as Britain levelled the tie. Australia will play either Switzerland or the Czech Republic in the final on Sunday.

☆ Swiss beat Canada, Czechs trounce Americans to reach BJK Cup semi-finals
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Rory Carroll | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Golubic hit back to beat former U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu 2-6 6-3 6-4 before Bencic beat Leylah Fernandez 6-0 7-5 to give last year's runners-up an unassailable lead. Friday's clash between the Swiss and the Canadians was effectively a group decider after both teams beat Italy. Golubic replaced Jil Teichmann and initially the switch appeared to be backfiring for the Swiss as Andreescu ran away with the opening set. Bencic then came out all guns blazing against Fernandez to race through the opening set, but the Canadian dug deep in an absorbing second set before Bencic wrapped up victory. Gauff never quite found her form in the second set, putting up 19 unforced errors as a near-flawless Siniakova never faced a break and roared with triumph after closing the affair 7-6(1) 6-1 for the 2018 champions.

☆ Australia, Britain reach Billie Jean King Cup semis, Canada thump Italy
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Storm Sanders dispatched Alison van Uytvanck 6-2 6-2 and Ajla Tomljanovic rallied from a set and a break down before Elise Mertens retired injured trailing 4-6 6-4 3-0 to earn Australia their second Group B win. Britain also booked a semi-final spot from Group C after Alicia Barnett and Olivia Nicholls sealed a surprise 3-0 win over Spain and they face Australia on Saturday. Heather Watson defeated Nuria Parrizas Diaz 6-0 6-2 and Harriet Dart earned a surprise victory over Paula Badosa 6-3 6-4. Canada crushed Italy 3-0 after Bianca Andreescu and Leylah Fernandez claimed impressive singles victories to get their campaign off to a perfect start. Katerina Siniakova and Marketa Vondrousova outclassed Polish duo Katarzyna Kawa and Magda Linette 6-2 6-3.

☆ Bencic leads Switzerland past Italy, Slovakia beat Belgium
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 9 (Reuters) - Belinda Bencic led Switzerland to victory over Italy in their opening Billie Jean King Cup tie on Wednesday while Slovakia bounced back from a tough loss to Australia to defeat Belgium and get their campaign back on track. Earlier, Viktoria Kuzmova and Anna Karolina Schmiedlova won their singles ties to help secure a 2-1 victory over Belgium in their final Group B tie. Schmiedlova sealed the tie for Slovakia in a tenacious 5-7 6-2 6-3 win over Maryna Zanevska before the doubles pairing of Elise Mertens and Kirsten Flipkens got Belgium on the board with a crushing 6-0 6-3 win over Kuzmova and Mihalikova. The United States will take on Poland in Group D while Spain face Kazakhstan in Group C later on Wednesday. Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Bengaluru Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Billie Jean King defeating Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes marked a historic moment for women's tennis, and sport. It’s their job now to step up, lead and shape the future.”Billie Jean King worked with fashion designer Tory Burch on the Billie Jean King Cup's 'winner's jacket.' Magazine IAnd inside the jacket, to remind the champions of the Billie Jean King Cup of the ‘fight’ and their place in it, is a message from King herself. “Congratulations on winning the 2022 Billie Jean King Cup,” King reads aloud. Billie Jean King, be bold.”

☆ Tursunov opted against working with Raducanu due to 'red flags'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 27 (Reuters) - Dmitry Tursunov said he decided not to continue coaching Emma Raducanu at the end of a trial period with the former U.S. Open champion as they could not agree terms and there were "red flags" he could not ignore. Raducanu won the U.S. Open title in 2021 but has since fallen to 76th in the WTA rankings. The 19-year-old Briton has been without a full-time coach since splitting with German Torben Beltz in April and spent some time this year working with Tursunov. The Russian left Raducanu's camp at the end of their trial period and is now coaching Olympic champion Belinda Bencic. We didn't agree on the terms and there were some red flags that just couldn't be ignored," he told tennismajors.com in an interview published on Wednesday.

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