BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Hailey Baptiste and Bernarda Pera had straight-set wins Sunday to give the United States a spot in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals with a 2-1 victory over host Slovakia.
Baptiste beat Renata Jamrichova 6-3, 6-4 and Pera overcame Slovakian No. 1 Rebecca Sramkova 7-6 (2), 7-5 in the Group C match.
''Honestly, I'm so overwhelmed by the emotions, so happy,'' Pera said. "I had so much fun with the team, the girls are amazing, I got so much support from all of them and I'm super happy.''
The U.S., which beat Denmark 3-0 on Saturday, topped Group C.
Japan advances
Ena Shibahara and Shuko Aoyama defeated Canadians Kayla Cross and Rebecca Marino 6-3, 5-7 6-2 in the decisive doubles match in Group A to secure Japan a spot in the finals.
Canada had taken a 1-0 lead when Victoria Mboko defeated Shibahara 6-4, 6-7 (8), 7-5. Japan evened the tie with Moyuka Uchijima beating Marina Stakusic 6-3, 6-3 in the second singles.
''I'm really happy that I got the doubles done today,'' Shibahara said.
