Jessica Pegula came back from a set down to beat Katie Boulter 3-6 6-4 6-2 and that ensured the United States reaching their 31st Billie Jean King Cup final.
On Saturday, Emma Navarro had to work harder than expected to beat Sonay Kartal 3-6 6-4 6-3 in the opening match of the United States and Great Britain semifinal tie.
Next on the court were world No. 7 Pegula and 55th-ranked Boulter. Although the 2024 US Open runner-up entered the Boulter match as the big favorite, it didn't start well for the American after she lost her serve twice early on and dropped the opener.
In the second set, Pegula blew an early break but got herself another one in the fifth game. The former world No. 3 then just held on to her serve for the rest of the set to send the match into a decider. There, the 31-year-old American registered three breaks to complete her comeback win and make sure there would be no need for a deciding doubles match.
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Pegula, Navarro get the job done for the United States with some hard-fought wins
On paper, Pegula and Navarro were expected to handle the job much more easily today. While it wasn't the case, they still managed to win - and most importantly - send their nation into the title match. There, the American team will meet Italy, who defeated Ukraine in the semifinal.
Before facing Great Britain, American Billie Jean King Cup captain Lindsay Davenport had a clear warning.
We didn't come here to get to the semis. This is the first step in what we knew was going to be a tough week. Excited to get back out there on Saturday," Davenport said before the semifinal tie versus Great Britain.
The United States has won 18 Billie Jean King Cup titles, with their last coming in 2018.
