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Japan Reaches Billie Jean King Cup Quarterfinals with Historic Win Over Romania

Posted : 15 November 2024

Shuko Aoyama and Eri Hozumi secured Japan's first Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinal appearance since 2013 with a remarkable comeback over Romania. In the decisive doubles match, they triumphed 6-1, 7-5 over Elena-Gabriela Ruse and Monica Niculescu, setting up a quarterfinal encounter with Italy. The Japanese duo, fresh from claiming their first WTA Tour title in Tokyo last month, showcased impressive resilience by saving nine out of ten break points.

 

Japan's journey to the quarterfinals began on a challenging note when Nao Hibino fell 6-2, 6-4 to Ana Bogdan, marking Bogdan's fifth win in six meetings against Hibino. However, Ena Shibahara, stepping in for the injured Naomi Osaka, leveled the tie by defeating Jaqueline Cristian 6-4, 7-6 (7/2), despite her low world ranking of 135. Shibahara's performance was crucial in keeping Japan in the competition, with the player expressing her nerves but determination to rise to the occasion.

 

Captain Ai Sugiyama's decision to choose Shibahara over the higher-ranked Moyuka Uchijima proved to be a stroke of brilliance, as the team progressed to the quarterfinals. Sugiyama, who has won all eight of her ties since becoming captain last year, praised her players' handling of pressure and their outstanding performances. "I feel great," Sugiyama said, reflecting on her team's effort to achieve one of her major goals—reaching the Finals.

 

In other action, Slovakia pulled off a surprising 2-1 victory over the 18-time champions, the United States, after losing the opening match. Despite 17-year-old Renata Jamrichova's loss to Taylor Townsend, Rebecca Sramkova leveled the tie with a strong performance against Danielle Collins.

 

 The Slovak team then clinched the win with a hard-fought 6-3, 3-6, 10-8 victory in the doubles, as Viktoria Hruncakova and Tereza Mihalikova triumphed over Ashlyn Krueger and Townsend. This win set up a quarterfinal clash with Australia. The event, originally scheduled for Wednesday, had been delayed due to weather disruptions caused by recent floods in Spain.

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