Kazakhstan falls to Spain in Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals

Kazakhstani tennis players Anna Danilina and Zhibek Kulambayeva lost 2-6, 5-7 to Spain’s Cristina Bucsa and Sara Sorribes Tormo in the quarterfinal of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Kazakhstan’s national team, without Elena Rybakina, lost the tie 2-1.

In the opening match, Sonja Zhiyenbayeva was unable to beat Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, losing 2-6, 2-6. Yulia Putintseva defeated Spain’s Cristina Bucsa 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 to level the tie at 1-1.

The Kazakhstani pair struggled in the first set of the doubles match, losing 2-6. They raised their level in the second, repeatedly putting their opponents under pressure. However, Danilina and Kulambayeva managed to convert only two of 22 break points.

In crucial moments, the Kazakhstani pair were missing just one decisive shot. The Spaniards sealed the match on their fourth match point after 2 hours and 7 minutes, winning 6-2, 7-5.

In the semifinals, Spain will take on Czechia, which swept Great Britain 2-0 in the quarterfinals. World No. 1 doubles player Kateřina Siniaková was not needed. Marie Bouzková defeated Sonay Kartal 7-6 (7-2), 4-6, 6-4, while 2026 Wimbledon winner Linda Nosková defeated Katie Boulter 6-2, 7-6 (7-3).

Two more quarterfinal ties will take place on Sept. 24: Ukraine vs. Belgium and China vs. Italy. All matches are played as best-of-three sets. On that day, each team plays two singles matches and one doubles match.