US into Billie Jean King Cup semifinals after beating Kazakhstan

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Taylor Townsend and Jessica Pegula, of the United States play against Elena Rybakina and Yulia Putintseva, of Kazakhstan during the Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals tennis doubles match, at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center Arena, in Shenzhen, China's Guangdong province, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Emma Navarro, of the United States eyes on the ball as she plays against Yulia Putintseva, of Kazakhstan during the Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals tennis match, at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center Arena, in Shenzhen, China's Guangdong province, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) — Taylor Townsend and Jessica Pegula, of the United States play against Elena Rybakina and Yulia Putintseva, of Kazakhstan during the Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals tennis doubles match, at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center Arena, in Shenzhen, China's Guangdong province, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Audio By Carbonatix

5:30 AM on Thursday, September 18

The Associated Press

SHENZHEN, China (AP) — Jessica Pegula and Taylor Townsend sent the United States into the Billie Jean King Cup semifinals for the first time since 2021 after beating Kazakhstan 2-1 on Thursday.

Pegula and Townsend topped Yulia Putintseva and Elena Rybakina 6-2, 7-6 (1) in the deciding doubles.

In singles, Emma Navarro defeated Putintseva 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (6) and Rybakina evened the quarterfinal by dispatching Pegula 6-4, 6-1.

Townsend, a two-time major doubles champion, created some controversy this week in comments about Chinese food.

The U.S. will play Japan or Britain in the semifinals on Saturday.

Japan and Britain play their quarterfinal later Thursday.

In the other half of the draw, Ukraine faces defending champion Italy in the semifinals on Friday. Marta Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina won singles matches over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro and Paula Badosa, respectively, to put Ukraine through to the final four. Italy beat host China.

The BJK Cup was formerly known as the Fed Cup, and the United States is the most successful team as an 18-time winner, but not since 2017.

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis