Kazakhstan beats Canada in BJK Cup qualifier, advances to finals

Canada will not advance to the Billie Jean King Cup finals after losing 3-1 to Kazakhstan in a qualifying tie.

Kazakhstan won both of Saturday’s opening games to clinch the best-of-five women’s international tennis showdown. 

Anna Danilina and Zhibek Kulambayeva defeated Bianca Andreescu and Kayla Cross 7-5, 6-1 in a doubles match. 

Yulia Putintseva then clinched the tie with a hard-fought 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-6 (4) win over Andreescu in a match that lasted three hours and 39 minutes.

The teams entered Saturday tied at 1-1 after splitting the opening singles matches.

Kazakhstan advances to September’s finals in Shenzhen, China, while Canada, which won the Billie Jean King Cup in 2023, will compete in the 2026 playoffs in November.