The Czech Republic will compete against Canada for a spot in the title match of the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals, following their triumph over the USA in a closely contested tie in Seville on Friday.
In a win-or-go-home clash between two nations that have a long history in this competition, the Czech Republic defeated the USA 2-1. While the United States still leads the all-time series, 10-5, their last three matchups have gone to the Czechs. The Americans’ last win against the Czechs came in the 2017 semifinals, en route to winning the championship over Belarus that year in Minsk.
At the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals, the Group A semifinalist was determined in a decisive doubles rubber, as Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova teamed up to secure a crucial 6-3 7-5 victory over the American duo of Danielle Collins and Taylor Townsend. Earlier on Friday, reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova dominated Sofia Kenin 6-1 6-1, leveling the score after the USA’s perfect start with Danielle Collins’ 6-3 6-2 win over Katerina Siniakova in the first singles match.
The tie marked the final for American Kathy Rinaldi as captain. Her seven years at the helm make her the fourth-longest-tenured of the 19 captains in U.S. team history, behind Billie Jean King and Marty Riessen (9 years) and her immediate predecessor Mary Joe Fernandez (8 years). Her 12 tie wins are tied for fifth all-time. Lindsay Davenport takes over as captain in 2024.
The Czech Republic will play Canada in the semifinals on Saturday, scheduled to begin not before 10 a.m. ET. The other semifinal will be contested between Italy and Slovenia. The championship tie is Sunday, November 12.
