Andy Roddick has raved about one-half of the USA team that recently qualified for the Billie Jean King Cup – and also praised Lindsey Davenport.
The pairing of Emma Navarro and Jessica Pegula eased through to the 2024 finals with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Belgium at the weekend.
The win was sealed when world number five Pegula despatched Hanne Vandewinkel 6-2, 6-0 in just 51 minutes.
The match took place in Orlando and despite the searing heat, Pegula barely needed to break sweat to secure the whitewash victory.
Despite Pegula winning the point that saw the team over the line, Roddick has heaped praise on Navarro and Davenport.
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What Andy Roddick said about Emma Navarro and Lindsey Davenport
Well, Navarro was very nearly on the wrong end of a shock result at Billy Jean King Cup when Vandewinkel took her to three sets.
However, she did prevail and Roddick has delivered some praise on her and the team’s captain Davenport after the weekend.
He said on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast: “Emma Navarro apparently had like an arm injury, didn’t even mention it to Lindsey until like a set in, she’s tough man, she’s gritty and she is the kind of person you’d want to be in a team with.
“I thought Lindsey did a phenomenal job because she had two players on day one who may have been a little nervous. It’s a math contest, it’s not an art show. Put two wins on the board, USA go to the finals. Congratulations”
USA could be ones to watch at the Billie Jean King Cup
Well, there is no such thing as a USA team that simply makes the numbers up and the field had better watch out when the finals get underway at the end of the year.
Both Pegula and Navarro are a handful when they get going and ultimately with Davenport overseeing things they could be dangerous.
The finals will be held in Seville and will feature four groups of three teams, with the winners progressing to the semi-finals.
In fairness, the USA were always fancied to beat Belgium and progress but nonetheless, this was a good win for the team.
Now, all eyes will be on the draw that takes place later in the year and Davenport can then start plotting her path to success.
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