The journey to the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup title began on Thursday with the qualifying rounds for this year`s Finals taking place around the world.
This week, 18 countries are divided into six groups of three. The winners of each group will join China, the host nation, and Italy, the defending champions, in the prestigious national team event Finals.
Group Locations:
- Group A (Tokyo, Japan): Canada, Romania, Japan
- Group B (Ostrava, Czech Republic): Czech Republic, Spain, Brazil
- Group C (Bratislava, Slovakia): Slovakia, United States, Denmark
- Group D (Brisbane, Australia): Australia, Kazakhstan, Colombia
- Group E (Radom, Poland): Poland, Switzerland, Ukraine
- Group F (The Hague, Netherlands): Great Britain, Germany, Netherlands
The Billie Jean King Cup Finals dates have been announced for September 16-21 at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre Arena in Shenzhen, China. Shenzhen will host the Finals until 2027.
Here’s a summary of Thursday`s Qualifier results:
Group B: Czech Republic Defeats Brazil 2-1
Playing at home, the Czech Republic won their Group B opening match against Brazil. Marie Bouzkova defeated Laura Pigossi 6-0, 7-6(3), and Linda Noskova overcame Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-4, 6-0.
“Playing in front of the Czech fans today was amazing,” Bouzkova said. “I loved it, and winning a point for my country is very special.”
Brazil secured a point in doubles with Haddad Maia and Luisa Stefani winning their match.
The Czech team aims to continue their Billie Jean King Cup success. They have won the title 11 times, second only to the United States with 18 wins. Their last title was in 2018.
The Czech Republic will play Spain on Saturday, while Brazil will compete against Spain tomorrow.
Group D: Kazakhstan Defeats Australia 2-1
Kazakhstan won their first Group D match as Elena Rybakina and Yulia Putintseva secured singles victories against home team Australia.
Putintseva easily defeated teenager Maya Joint 6-2, 6-1 in the first match. Rybakina, a former Wimbledon champion, faced a tougher challenge but defeated Kimberly Birrell 6-3, 7-6(4) to win the tie.
Australia earned a point in doubles with a win from Ellen Perez and former world No. 1 doubles player Storm Hunter.
Kazakhstan will aim for a 2-0 record against Colombia tomorrow. Australia, a seven-time Billie Jean King Cup champion whose last title was in 1974, will play Colombia on Saturday.
Group E: Poland Sweeps Switzerland 3-0
Playing at home, Poland began their qualifying campaign with a dominant 2-0 lead over 2022 champions Switzerland on Thursday.
Katarzyna Kawa, a recent Bogota finalist, started with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Jil Teichmann. Magda Linette followed up with a win against Viktorija Golubic 6-4, 6-3.
Poland completed the sweep with Martyna Kubka and Maja Chwalinska winning the doubles match.
Poland is seeking their first Billie Jean King Cup Finals championship. Their best result was reaching the semifinals last year.
Group F: Netherlands Sweeps Germany 3-0
Another home team, the Netherlands, also took an unbeatable 2-0 lead against two-time champions Germany on Thursday.
Eva Vedder defeated Jule Niemeier 6-3, 6-1 to begin. Suzan Lamens then fought back to beat Tatjana Maria 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a 2-hour and 13-minute match.
The Netherlands completed the sweep 3-0 with Lamens and Demi Schuurs winning the doubles.
Jasper Hawthorne 
Dominic Ashworth