By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday April 13, 2024
Team USA completed its sweep of Belgium in Orlando, making it nine victories in ten home ties for the Americans.
Photo Source: Mike Lawrence/ USTA
Team USA is going back to the BJK Cup Finals in Seville, Spain.
Jessica Pegula clinched victory with a 6-2, 6-0 singles triumph over Hanne Vandewinkel at the USTA National Campus, and Caroline Dolehide and Taylor Townsend finished off the weekend with a 6-2, 6-1 doubles win over Marie Benoit and Kimberley Zimmermann, giving captain Lindsay Davenport a clean sweep in her debut tie.
“These ladies were amazing,” Davenport said. “Everything I wanted in terms of teamwork, being together, a lot of funny stuff. It was really great”
Pegula, who struggled through a three-set win (4-6, 6-2, 6-3 over Sofia Costoulas) in difficult conditions on Friday, says she was feeling much better in more player-friendly conditions on Saturday in Orlando.
“I love being in a clinch position,” she said. “I love being able to get that win. That can also be a lot of pressure. At the same time I try to embrace it the most that I can. Just feeling much better today. I think the conditions suited me. A little hotter, a little faster. I was just kind of feeling it.”
Team USA will bid for its 19th BJK Cup title this November in Seville, and first since 2017.
This weekend's qualifier winners will join 2023 champions Canada, runners-up Italy, hosts Spain, and wild card Czechia in the BJK Cup Finals.
Here are the current scores of the other Qualifier Rubbers:
Slovakia 4, Slovenia 0 | Bratislava, Slovakia
Japan 3, Kazakhstan 1 | Tokyo, Japan
Poland 4, Switzerland 0 | Biel, Switzerland
Australia 4, Mexico 0 | Brisbane, Australia
Ukraine 2, Romania 3 | Amelia Island, USA
Great Britain 3, France 1 | Le Portel, France
Brazil 1, Germany 3 | Sao Paulo, Brazil