Elena Rybakina Gives the Key Reason Why USA Beat Kazakhstan at the Billie Jean King Cup
Elena Rybakina, the Kazakh tennis star and world No. 4, has provided a candid assessment of her team’s 2-1 quarterfinal loss to the United States at the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, China, on September 18. The former Wimbledon champion pointed to the Americans’ superior doubles experience as the decisive factor in the tie, which saw Kazakhstan level at 1-1 after Rybakina’s victory before Jessica Pegula and Taylor Townsend clinched the winner-takes-all doubles rubber against Rybakina and Yulia Putintseva. Rybakina’s comments, made in a post-match interview, highlight the gap in team dynamics that cost Kazakhstan a historic semifinal spot, their first since 2021.
The Tie: A Close Contest Hinging on Doubles
Kazakhstan entered the quarterfinal as underdogs against the 18-time champions, but they started strongly. Emma Navarro gave the USA a 1-0 lead with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Putintseva in the first singles, showcasing her baseline consistency. Rybakina, Kazakhstan’s linchpin and a 2022 Wimbledon champion, responded in the second singles, edging Pegula 7-6(4), 6-4 in a tense battle that lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes. The 26-year-old’s powerful serve (seven aces) and aggressive forehand neutralized Pegula’s defense, leveling the tie at 1-1 and setting up a pivotal doubles decider.
In the doubles, Pegula and Townsend dominated Rybakina and Putintseva 6-3, 6-4, with Townsend’s net play and Pegula’s returns proving too much. Kazakhstan had chances—Putintseva saved three break points in the first set—but the Americans’ experience shone through, securing a 2-1 victory and advancing to the semifinals against Great Britain or Japan. This marked the USA’s 19th quarterfinal win in BJK Cup history, extending their dominance.
Rybakina’s Key Reason: “They Are a Little Bit More Experienced”
Rybakina was gracious in defeat, acknowledging the USA’s edge in the doubles. “Well, I think that they are a little bit more experienced, I would say that’s for sure,” she said in her on-court interview. “I think we played really well. It was pretty close. I had some little chances. But again, they’re a strong team. I think we did pretty well today. Hopefully next time it’s going to go our way.”
Her comments underscore the doubles disparity: Pegula and Townsend, both Grand Slam doubles semifinalists, have played 12 BJK Cup ties together, while Rybakina and Putintseva, despite strong singles records, lack the same partnership synergy. Rybakina, who has limited doubles experience (her best major result is a 2023 US Open quarterfinal with Putintseva), admitted the format’s demands: “Doubles is different—it’s about trust and communication.” Kazakhstan’s singles strength—Rybakina’s 7-2 BJK Cup record—couldn’t overcome the USA’s well-oiled team play
Kazakhstan’s Journey and USA’s Dominance
Kazakhstan qualified with a 3-0 sweep over Colombia in April, powered by Rybakina’s 6-1, 6-2 win over Yuliana Lizarazo. Their Finals appearances (2022, 2023, 2025) show progress, but they’ve yet to reach semis. Rybakina, a national hero with her 2022 Wimbledon title, has been instrumental, winning all her singles rubbers this year. “We’re building,” she said. “The team spirit is strong—we’ll be back.”
The USA, seeded No. 1, extended their quarterfinal streak to 19, with Pegula’s 6-4, 6-3 win over Putintseva sealing the tie. Townsend/Pegula’s doubles success (their third BJK Cup win) propelled them to semis against GB/Japan winners on September 20. “Experience won out,” Pegula said. “We’re a unit.”
Broader Implications for the Finals
Rybakina’s insight highlights doubles’ role in team events, where partnerships can swing ties. As Kazakhstan reflects, the USA advances, eyeing a record 19th title. Rybakina’s words—”hopefully next time”—signal determination, but the experience gap remains a hurdle. The Finals, hosted in Shenzhen for three years, continue with semis on September 20 and the final on September 21, showcasing women’s tennis’s global talent.
