Match schedule and results

Great Britain defeated by USA in semi-finals

The Lexus Great Britain Billie Jean King Cup team put in a spirited performance against a high-powered USA side, but ultimately lost out 2-0 in their semi-final tie in Shenzhen.

Britain’s Sonay Kartal and Katie Boulter both led by a set against top-20 ranked opponents but the experience and quality of Emma Navarro and former world No.3 Jessica Pegula saw the Americans clinch impressive comeback victories.

The Brits will have to wait another year for their shot at a first final since 1981 and will be back to compete in the Qualifiers next year.

Match two: Boulter loses out to Pegula in three sets

Boulter pushed world No.7 Pegula all the way but narrowly lost out 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 – ensuring that USA would progress to this year’s Billie Jean King Cup final.

Boulter couldn’t have asked for a better start to the match against the 2024 US Open finalist and nine-time WTA title-winner. The British star was quick to get on the offence with big striking off both wings to keep Pegula firmly camped behind the baseline.

In a tough eight minute game at 2-2 on Pegula’s serve, Boulter managed to break her opponent down to force the American to hit long on her fifth break point.

A second break at 5-3 to wrap up the set and Boulter looked on the path to replicating her previous victory over Pegula in the 2024 United Cup – but the American fought back in the second set.

After overturning an early break deficit, Boulter then hit two double faults in a row in the following service game – handing Pegula her advantage back as she went on to serve out the set.

It was as similar story in the third set. Boulter showed her resilience once more to come back from a break down, but the Briton couldn’t build any momentum on serve.

With Boulter on serve at 2-2, 30-30, Pegula conjured one of the shots of the match with an acute angled backhand winner beyond Boulter at the net to retake a break lead.

There was no stopping Pegula from there as the former world No.3 reeled off four games in a row to see her side into a 31^st final.

Match one: Kartal falls short against resurgent Navarro

Kartal led by a set and a break in the first match of the semi-final battle but Navarro managed to fight back and seal a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 win in an intense two hours and 14 minute clash.

It was a sensational opening set of tennis from British No.4 Kartal, who was facing her toughest challenge to date on the Billie Jean King Cup stage. Unphased by the task ahead, she looked to dictate the early rallies and broke Navarro in the fourth game of the match before backing it up to hold for a 4-1 lead.

Navarro – who is a former US Open semi-finalist - has been in plenty of high-pressure situations throughout her career and managed to reset well to put a pause on Kartal’s momentum. However, it wasn’t enough to stop the spirited Briton who went on to break once again before closing out the set in 39 minutes with a hold to love.

The world No.82 made the most of her opportunities on the American's serve and converted all five of her break point opportunities in the opening two sets. She led by a break twice in the second set, but couldn't find a way to close out what would have been her third top 20 victory.

Kartal fought to keep the momentum going and even broke Navarro’s serve in the opening game of the second set but the American soon began to show her toughness, fighting back from a break down twice before edging ahead for the first time.

With the pressure of serving to stay in the set at 5-4, Kartal made a couple of costly mistakes to hand her opponent three set points, which she took at the second time of asking to take us to a decider.

Navarro proved just a level above in the closing stages. The American won eight straight points to open a three game lead at 5-2 lead before serving out an inspired comeback win.