Czechia join Slovenia in Billie Jean King Cup semi-finals with victory over United States in Seville

Czechia defeated the USA in their final group stage tie on Friday night to earn a spot in the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup.

Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova teamed up for a 6-3 7-5 doubles victory to beat American duo Danielle Collins and Taylor Townsend and claim a 2-1 victory in the tie.

World No. 7 player Marketa Vondrousova had earlier brought Czechia level in a convincing manner, beating Sofia Kenin 6-1 6-1 in the second singles match.

Danielle Collins had opened up the tie for the United States in promising fashion as she defeated Siniakova 6-3 6-3 for an early lead that ultimately would be overhauled.

The Czechs will face Canada for the chance to play in the final on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, Slovenia reached the semi-finals for the first time, despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Kazakhstan.

They qualified from Group B regardless and will take on Italy in their semi-final on Saturday.

Kaja Juvan, who has dropped only six games in her two matches in Seville so far, beat Anna Danilina 6-1 6-0 in a convincing win, with the 22-year-old focused on avoiding an upset.

“I was pretty stressed, because I already played her and I felt like I’m capable of winning, but you never know in these sorts of competitions,” said Juvan.

“You shouldn’t underestimate anybody anywhere. So I tried to go to the match 100% per cent trying to fight for every point, and I think since the moment that it started to go my way, I really tried not to give her any games that were unnecessary to give.”

Tamara Zidansek won the first set 6-2 against Yulia Putintseva, but she had to retire at a set apiece due to injury.

Kazakh pair Danilina and Zhibek Kulambayeva then beat Veronika Erjavec and Ela Milic 2-6 6-4 [10-7] but it was not enough to knock Slovenia out.