Zhiyenbayeva loses to Spain’s Bouzas Maneiro in Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals

Kazakhstani tennis player Sonja Zhiyenbayeva lost to Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 2-6, 2-6 in the quarterfinals of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in China. Kazakhstan now trails Spain 0-1.

Elena Rybakina’s withdrawal from the women’s World Cup of Tennis seemingly shaped Kazakhstan’s game plan. Victories by Yulia Putintseva and the doubles pair of Anna Danilina and Zhibek Kulambayeva would be enough to win the tie. Zhiyenbayeva’s task, as the second singles player, was likely to keep the match competitive.

However, she lost to Bouzas Maneiro 2-6, 2-6 in 1 hour and 2 minutes, leaving Kazakhstan trailing 0-1 in the tie.

The next matchup on the court in Shenzhen is Putintseva against Cristina Bucsa. If Putintseva loses, Kazakhstan’s run will end.

The winner of the Kazakhstan-Spain tie will face Czechia in the semifinals. Czechia 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).

Czechia’s national team is regarded as a favorite to win the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup, having arrived in China with a versatile squad.

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. That day, each team plays two singles matches and one doubles match.