BILLIE JEAN KING CUP: KAZAKHSTAN VS USA

September 18, 2025

Lindsay Davenport

Jessica Pegula

Taylor Townsend

Team USA

Quarter-Final Press Conference

PEGULA-TOWNSEND/Rybakina-Putintseva

6-2, 7-6

Team USA - 2

Team Kazakhstan - 1

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations, Team USA. Lindsay, could we have your thoughts on today's tie.

CAPTAIN LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Yeah, so happy and so proud of all the ladies on this team. We knew it was going to be so tough when we saw the draw even a couple months ago.

We got into a big battle today. Emma was outstanding in hanging around and figuring out a way to pull a match out that I'm not sure she was going to win at one point. Saving a couple of match points... We knew that was the one we really wanted to win and get the tie off to a good momentum.

Rybakina played so well. Wasn't much Jess could do out there. Indoors, she's hitting her serves, hitting her groundstrokes like that.

We knew in doubles we had a great advantage. Two of the best doubles players in the world. Both have been ranked No. 1 in the world. We are so happy to be able to play again on Saturday.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Jessica, you really would have had to regroup after that singles match, which was tough. How did you reset? What were you doing in that break in between? What were the discussions among you to help you get in that mindset?

JESSICA PEGULA: First of all, I kind of knew whatever happened, I'd be in for doubles. I had to kind of shift my mindset really quickly. But I've done it before. I played team events. I've played singles and doubles, where I'm usually playing both.

I just took it as a challenge and wanted to kind of redeem myself a little bit out there against her, try and help my team get a win. Even though I wasn't able to do it on the singles court, we had a chance to take it in doubles.

I haven't played with Taylor in such a long time, so that was fun to get back playing with her. It was a lot of fun.

We went over the game plan of who we were playing, who the opponents were. We both knew each other pretty well, no matter who the matchup was. It was a quick shift, change of clothes, a little food. You just want to go out there and get the win.

Q. Can you talk us through the doubles match, the second set in particular, so tight. What proved the difference? You lifted your level, especially in the tiebreak.

TAYLOR TOWNSEND: Yeah, I mean, I felt like during the match we were doing the right things. The other team, they started playing a little bit better and doing some things differently. You kind of expect that on the court.

We just raised our level, kind of just committed to the things we were doing before that were working. We were just focused on doing the right things, having great energy.

We had great energy on the sidelines from our team and Lindsay on the bench. That always helps a lot when there's so much positivity flowing.

We really had a great time out there. It feels great to get the win.

Q. You mentioned how long it's been since you played together. How much practice did you get in this week?

JESSICA PEGULA: We played, like, four games.

TAYLOR TOWNSEND: Four games (laughter).

JESSICA PEGULA: I feel with Tay and I, when we get back out there... I always love playing with a lefty. Makes my life a lot easier. I think our games complement each other really well.

I think Taylor, she's an amazing doubles player. She could probably play with anybody. I think when I'm really solid from the baseline, as long as I'm serving and returning well, I feel like she's always going to be there at the net to pick up, pick off the volleys at the net. I feel like our games just kind of mesh that way.

Q. Lindsay, this is the first time since 2021 that the U.S. are into the semifinals. What does that mean, as well? What are your hopes? Are you in it to win it?

CAPTAIN LINDSAY DAVENPORT: Yeah, we didn't come here to get to the semis. This is the first step in what we knew was going to be a tough week. Excited to get back out there on Saturday.

We'll all be keeping an eye on tonight's result, get ready for whoever we face tomorrow, hopefully be ready to go on Saturday night.

Q. Jessica, you mentioned that you came to this city before. How do you feel about the atmosphere of playing a tennis match in Shenzhen? Also, I want to get your view on how do you feel about the facilities, the crowd, the audience, the culture of the city?

JESSICA PEGULA: Yeah, I played Shenzhen a long time ago, very long time ago, when there was a WTA event here. I think I did actually pretty well. That was the last time I was here before Australia one year.

It's nice being back. I always remembered it as being a really great city. Even though we played very early today, I think there was a lot of fans here, which was really fun and supportive. There's always a lot of fun signs that he fans make for me. I always enjoy that aspect, especially when I come to China.

So far it's been a great experience. The center court is awesome. I knew that WTA Finals was here. They have a great facility, a great setup. It's my first Final for Billie Jean King. I've been really impressed.