The USA booked their place in the semifinals of the Billie Jean King Cup after clinching a 2-1 victory over Kazakhstan.
American duo Jessica Pegula and Taylor Townsend sealed the win in a decisive doubles showdown against Elena Rybakina and Yulia Putintseva, 6-2, 7-6.
Kazakhstan made it competitive against the favourites, with Rybakina earning a straight-sets triumph over Pegula, and Putintseva coming close to securing an upset against Emma Navarro.
The 18-time Billie Jean King Cup champions ultimately came out on top, however, to reach the final four of the annual international tournament.
Yuriy Schukin claims Kazakhstan were ‘so close’ to beating USA
Reacting to the narrow defeat, Kazakhstan captain Yuriy Schukin said in his post-tie press conference: “It’s a tough day today.
“Well, what can I say? I know the team gave everything. We played one of the best teams. We had really two unbelievable, three unbelievable matches.
“It was so close. I’m proud of the team. I know they gave not even 100%, but 110%,” claimed Schukin.
The quarterfinal between the USA and Kazakhstan was the first last-eight clash at the event to come down to a decider, following Italy and Ukraine’s 2-0 wins.
Elena Rybakina claims another top 10 win at the Billie Jean King Cup
Despite losing the tie, Rybakina claimed yet another top ten win with her victory over Pegula at the Billie Jean King Cup.
Since the beginning of the 2020 WTA season, the former Wimbledon champion has tallied 22 wins against players ranked inside the top ten, the fifth-most of any woman in that time period.
She trails only Pegula, Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, and Iga Swiatek, with the Pole boasting a grand total of 52.
Rybakina managed two top ten wins at the Cincinnati Open in August, overcoming Australian Open champion Madison Keys and world number one Sabalenka.
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