Ashlyn Krueger and Taylor Townsend saved six match points but ultimately lost the decisive doubles match as the United States was defeated 6-3, 3-6, 10-8 by Slovakia and was eliminated 2-1 in the first round of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals early Friday.

Japan and Slovakia produced stunning comebacks to beat Romania and the United States 2-1, respectively, and reach the quarter-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup on Thursday. Viktoria Hruncakova and Tereza Mihalikova had to dig deep to beat Ashlyn Krueger and Taylor Townsend 6-3 3-6 10-8 in the match tie-break of a thrilling doubles that went into the early hours of Friday.

Slovakia reach the last eight of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals with a 2-1 victory over 18-time champions the United States.

Australia will play Slovakia in the Billie Jean King Cup quarter-finals after the Europeans upset the USA in a thriller in Malaga. The ITF had billed the round-of-16 tie a "David versus Goliath battle" after Slovak Viktoria Hruncakova warned the US "we are a small country, but we have a big heart".

Shuko Aoyama and Eri Hozumi took Japan into the Billie Jean King Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2013 on Thursday with a stunning comeback win over Romania.Aoyama and Hozumi defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse and Monica Niculescu 6-1,

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday November 14, 2024 Slovakia battled back from 1-0 down to hand Team USA and early exit at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain. Slovakia advances to play Australia in the quarterfinals, while the Americans will await its draw for the 2025 qualifying round.

Japan and Slovakia produced stunning comebacks to beat Romania and the United States 2-1, respectively, and reach the quarter-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup on Thursday.