(Seville) The Czech Republic will face Canada in the semifinals of the Billie Jean King Tennis Cup Finals following their victory Friday against the United States in the final match of the Group A preliminary phase .
In the deciding doubles, the Czech tandem of Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova defeated the duo of Danielle Collins and Taylor Townsend 6-3, 7-5.
As a result, the Czech Republic beat the United States for a third time in a row in this competition.
Earlier in the day, in the first singles match, Collins gave the United States a 1-0 lead with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Siniakova.
Collins had three breaks of serve and had help from Siniakova who committed five double faults.
Reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, however, hit back for the Czech team with a clear 6-1, 6-1 victory over Sofia Kenin.
Vondrousova had five aces and converted six break points in this one-sided match.
The United States and the Czech Republic are the two most successful countries in the history of this competition. The United States has won this tournament 18 times and the Czech Republic has won 11 times.
However, the American delegation was deprived of its two best players, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, third and fifth in the world respectively.
Gauff and Pegula competed in the WTA Finals, which ended just before the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
The semi-final duel will take place on Saturday.
Canada earned its place in the semi-finals after posting triumphs against Spain and Portugal earlier this week in Group C.
In the other semi-final match, Slovenia will face Italy. Both countries finished first in Groups B and D, respectively.
