US Open junior champion Jeline Vandromme leads Belgium to 2026 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers on 18th birthday

On paper, everything seemed straightforward: the Group F Play-Offs of the Billie Jean King Cup were expected to follow a familiar script. Germany and Türkiye opened the weekend on Friday in Ismaning, with the hosts entering as clear favorites. And on Sunday, the anticipated showdown between Germany and Belgium was supposed to deliver the decisive climax.

But the storyline quickly changed. The Turkish team stunned Germany with a 2–1 victory on Friday. Had Ayla Aksu and Ipek Öz converted one of their match points in the decisive doubles against Belgium on Saturday, the final day might have turned into a dead rubber. Instead, after a rollercoaster of emotions, Belgium edged Türkiye 2–1, setting up the long-awaited Sunday showdown after all.

However, the happy ending—from the German perspective—never materialized. Despite a sold-out crowd of 1,415 spectators at TC Ismaning and loud home support, Germany fell short against Belgium, losing the tie 2–0.

Vandromme gives herself the perfect birthday gift

Jeline Vandromme emerged as the first big winner of the day. On her 18th birthday, she battled past the experienced Anna-Lena Friedsam 7–6(0), 2–6, 6–3 in a tense, one-hour-and-36-minute contest.

“I am very happy to win the first point. I always expect a hard match, but I am just proud of myself for how I stayed in the match and stayed focused the whole time,” Vandromme said.

The teenager, who won the junior title at this year’s US Open and the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Finals in Chengdu, once again showcased her composure on court. Ranked Junior World No. 2, she appears to be transitioning smoothly into the professional ranks, having already collected four ITF World Tennis Tour titles this season.

“The mental part is different,” Vandromme explained when asked about the differences between junior and senior level. “When you come into the women’s circuit, they are fighting more for themselves. But I was able to gain a lot of experience over the season.”

Her crucial point for Belgium fittingly caps off a remarkable year.

Vandewinkel storms past Seidel, Belgium prevails

It then fell to Hanne Vandewinkel to finish the job against Ella Seidel, who stepped in as Germany’s No. 1 after Eva Lys was forced to withdraw due to a thigh injury. The 21-year-old Belgian came out firing and stormed through the first set in just 22 minutes, winning it 6–0. Seidel gradually found her footing in the second set, but it wasn’t enough, and she ultimately bowed out 6–0, 6–4 after 72 minutes.

Belgium now advances to the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers for the fourth time.

“We are super happy with the week,” said team captain Wim Fissette. “From the beginning we had a special energy and a positive atmosphere in the team. Yesterday was really tough but we managed to find a way to win. Today was just a really good day for us.”

Belgium had to compete this weekend without their highest-ranked player, Elise Mertens.

“It’s special to be back,” said Fissette. “We played without our best player, but the young girls were able to do it. The result is great, but it is also important for me that the girls have taken a step forward since the last time we met. That’s positive for the future of Belgian tennis.”

Germany and Türkiye to be relegated

Germany, meanwhile, who had been aiming for their 100th Billie Jean King Cup tie win, will be relegated to Europe/Africa Group I for the first time since 2012.

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“We are very disappointed,” Germany’s team captain Rainer Schüttler said. “We had imagined it differently. But you could also see how close everything is here.

“Relegation is never pleasant. With a bit of distance, we’ll certainly analyse what went wrong and what needs to change. But we’re also realistic and know that coming back will be difficult. I hope that the top players will continue to compete for us, so that we can return to the World Group again soon.”