Baptiste, Pera Lead U.S. Win over Denmark in King Cup

By Tennis Now | @Tennis_Now | Saturday, April 12, 2025
Photo credit: Hameltion/Wikimedia Commons

Hailey Baptiste and Bernarda Pera both won their Billie Jean King Cup debuts to lead the United States past Denmark, 3-0, on Saturday in Bratislava to set up a decisive Qualifying tie vs. hosts Slovakia on Sunday with a trip to the 2025 Finals on the line.

“We knew it was going to be a difficult weekend no matter which team we were playing on whatever day, and it’s hard when you’re expected to win,” U.S. captain Lindsay Davenport said. “Obviously we were the favorites against Denmark, but so proud how two rookies played some of their best tennis, it can only make me proud. They both competed super hard, they did everything we talked about all week in practice, so I’m so happy for Hailey, I’m so happy for Bernarda. It means a lot to them and they really showed it today.

“They both got off to great starts, especially Hailey. Both of them had a lot of nerves before playing, which obviously means you care, but Hailey got off to a good start and it calmed her down.

“There were a couple of long games in the second set. Hailey got through one or two and was able to get through. Bernarda was a fighter. She worked so hard in practice all week. She’s kind of set the tone for all the younger players as well. Her professionalism, and she was so excited to come and represent the United States.”

The American team will look to beat Slovakia for the first time in three tries and avenge the two nations’ most recent meeting, in which Slovakia narrowly eliminated the U.S. from the 2024 Finals in a third-set doubles tiebreak.

Tomorrow’s winner qualifies for the eight-nation Finals held September 16-21 in Shenzhen, China. Italy, China, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Spain have all already qualified.

Tomorrow’s loser competes next in the Playoff round the week of November 10 (also round-robin format, with seven groups of three nations) in order to return to the Qualifying pool for 2026.