Navarro, Pegula power U.S. past Great Britain into BJK Cup final

The United States booked its first Billie Jean King Cup final appearance since 2018 on Saturday, rallying past Great Britain 2-0 in Shenzhen to deny the hosts their first title shot in more than four decades.

Emma Navarro and Jessica Pegula each fought back from a set down in their singles matches to extend America’s dominance in the competition, sealing a place in Sunday’s final against defending champion Italy.

World No. 17 Navarro once again provided the opening point for the U.S., recovering from a sluggish start to outlast Britain’s Sonay Kartal 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in two hours and 14 minutes.

The victory mirrored her quarterfinal effort against Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva, when she saved two match points to keep the Americans alive.

Kartal, ranked 64 places below Navarro, had entered the tie unbeaten in her three previous Billie Jean King Cup matches since debuting in April.

That chance swung the tie’s momentum firmly toward the U.S., leaving Pegula to complete the job. The world No. 7 rebounded from a shaky first set against Britain’s top player Katie Boulter, storming through the final two sets to clinch a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory.

It was a personal redemption of sorts for Pegula, who had dropped her singles rubber in the quarterfinals before bouncing back in doubles.

“We’re all having so much fun,” said Pegula. “It’s the first time I’ve been to a final. It will be a new experience that I get to experience with my teammates, so that’s fun. We’re happy about today but we’ve got to regroup and be ready for Italy.”

The semifinal marked the first Billie Jean King Cup meeting between the U.S. and Great Britain in 33 years, but history once again leaned heavily American.

Saturday’s result gave the U.S. its 10th victory in 11 ties against Britain, extending a head-to-head dominance that dates back to the early years of the competition.

For Great Britain, it was another near-miss. The team was chasing its first final since 1981, with Boulter hoping to replicate her 2024 United Cup upset of Pegula. Instead, the Americans’ depth and resilience proved decisive.

The U.S. will now meet Italy in a clash of heavyweights. Italy, which has reached its third consecutive final, overcame Ukraine 2-1 in dramatic fashion on Friday.

Jasmine Paolini turned around a deficit against Elina Svitolina, then partnered Sara Errani to win the deciding doubles rubber. The Italians are eyeing a sixth Billie Jean King Cup crown, while the U.S. is pursuing a record-extending 20th.

For the Americans, the stakes are particularly high. Despite their unmatched history in the event, they have lifted the trophy just once since 2000 — in 2017 against Belarus. Sunday offers a chance to restore their place at the summit of women’s team tennis.

First-time finalists in nearly a decade, history-makers in waiting, and armed with both experience and youthful momentum, the United States enters Sunday’s showdown with Italy knowing that only one more step separates them from a long-awaited return to the pinnacle.