The United States qualified for the final phase of the Billie Jean King Cup, beating Ukraine 3 to 2 on Saturday in Asheville (North Carolina), thanks to a victory in the decisive doubles.
The Ukrainians defended their colors dearly. Led 2-0 after the first two singles on Friday, they first reduced the gap thanks to Dayana Yastremska (93rd in the world), who solidly disposed 6-3, 6-4 of Jessica Pegula (14th).
Then Katarina Zvatska (201st) achieved the feat of bringing the equalizing point, beating Shelby Rodgers (46th) by the same score, preferred to Alison Riske who had won the day before, against Yastremska, the longest tie-break in the history of the singles event (18/16).
Finally, the salvation of the Americans came from the pair Jessica Pegula / Asia Muhammad (USA), too strong for Dayana Yastremska / Lyudmyla Kichenok 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.
The United States join eleven other teams in the final phase of the Billie Jean King Cup, including Switzerland, finalists last year, and Australia, which benefited from the exclusion of defending champion Russia.
This epilogue came to close a weekend rich in emotions for the Ukrainian players, inevitably prey to immense concern for their families and loved ones who remained in their country, target since February 24 of a Russian military invasion.
“I always love representing my country, but right now it’s something hard to describe. My heart stays at home, but my spirit is here,” Yastremska said after her win over Pegula.
The American Tennis Federation has announced that part of the ticketing revenue will be donated to an association helping Ukraine.
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