U.S. Billie Jean King Cup team ‘couldn’t be happier’ going into quarterfinal against Kazakhstan

The United States Billie Jean King Cup team will continue their mission to reclaim the Billie Jean King Cup title on Thursday in Shenzhen, China, with a quarterfinal matchup against Kazakhstan—the first tie between the two countries.

The U.S. remains the most decorated team in history, touting 18 Billie Jean King Cup titles, but hasn’t lifted the trophy since 2017. This year’s competition comes amid an incredible year for American women’s tennis, with American women represented in each final of the four Grand Slams this season. This year’s powerhouse squad looks to continue that momentum and quench their eight-year title drought.

“I expect that Rybakina and Putintseva will be playing singles for them,” Davenport said, referencing how lineups for Thursday's quarterfinal are set one hour prior to the start of the tie. “We'll go over all of our lineups and matchups. I'm so blessed to have such a deep team and so many options. Hopefully we're here for the long run.”

Pegula, one of the most seasoned Billie Jean King Cup competitors, holds a 5-1 win-loss record in Billie Jean King Cup singles. She’s made four Billie Jean King Cup appearances since her debut in 2019, and praised the competition’s scheduling change. Previously held in November, the 2025 Finals were bumped up by two months to accommodate the event during the sport’s Asian swing. 

“The last few years, I wasn't able to swing it making year-end Finals and stuff like that. It was really crammed into the back end of the schedule,” Pegula said. “I was sick one year, hurt the other year. It gets tough. I feel this is a much better way to start off the Asian Swing for me.”

Scheduling also appeared to work out when it came to necessary, last-minute changes. Kessler received her first nomination for the Billie Jean King Cup after being tapped as a replacement for world No. 6 Madison Keys. Despite the short notice, Kessler was up for the challenge. 

“Super excited to be here. I was supposed to play the qualifiers earlier this year and wasn't able to, unfortunately,” Kessler said. “When I got the call last minute, I was excited to jump on a plane and get here and play with these players.”

All ties consist of two singles matches and one doubles match, each best-of-three sets. Townsend, fresh off of her US Open doubles final run, is the most experienced American in playing doubles at Billie Jean King Cup competitions, with a 4-2 win-loss record in doubles since her 2015 debut. 

“We don't get a chance to play a ton of team events. When we're able to come and have the opportunity to put the team on your back, as we say, come in clutch, especially for the doubles when it counts the most, it's really fun,” Townsend said, when asked about the role of doubles at the Billie Jean King Cup. 

The first team to win two of three matches advances to the semifinals, to take on the winner of Great Britain vs. Japan on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 5 p.m. local (5 a.m. ET). The final will be played on Sunday, Sept. 21, also at 5 p.m. local.