Japan beats Canada, U.S. tops Slovakia to qualify for Billie Jean King Cup Finals

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Hailey Baptiste and Bernarda Pera had straight-set wins Sunday to give the United States a spot in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals with a 2-1 victory over host Slovakia.

Baptiste beat Renata Jamrichova 6-3, 6-4 and Pera overcame Slovakian No. 1 Rebecca Sramkova 7-6 (2), 7-5 in the Group C match.

“Honestly, I’m so overwhelmed by the emotions, so happy,” Pera said. “I had so much fun with the team, the girls are amazing, I got so much support from all of them and I’m super happy.”

The U.S., which beat Denmark 3-0 on Saturday, topped Group C.

Japan advances

Ena Shibahara and Shuko Aoyama defeated Canadians Kayla Cross and Rebecca Marino 6-3, 5-7 6-2 in the decisive doubles match in Group A to secure Japan a spot in the finals.

Canada had taken a 1-0 lead when Victoria Mboko defeated Shibahara 6-4, 6-7 (8), 7-5. Japan evened the tie with Moyuka Uchijima beating Marina Stakusic 6-3, 6-3 in the second singles.

“I’m really happy that I got the doubles done today,” Shibahara said.

The BJK Cup Finals will be played in Shenzhen in September, when Japan will be making its second consecutive finals appearance and will try to match its best-ever performance. It reached the semifinals in 1996.