Tennis news - Serena Williams beaten but USA reach Fed Cup Finals

Updated 09/02/2020 at 13:09 GMT

Serena Williams and Sofia Kenin both lost their singles matches on day two of their Fed Cup tie against Latvia, but the USA still qualified for the finals.

Serena Williams of the United States in action while competing against Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia during the 2020

Image credit: Getty Images

The Americans had been 2-0 up after singles wins on Friday, but Williams succumbed to a 7-6 3-6 7-6 loss to Anastasija Sevastova, while Kenin was beaten by Jelena Ostapenko.

But victory for doubles duo Kenin and Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the deciding rubber secured the Americans a spot in April's Finals in Budapest.

Fed Cup Singles

Boulter secures Billie Jean King Cup win for GB against Mexico

17/04/2021 at 17:20

Australian Open champion Kenin rarely looked comfortable against a fired-up Ostapenko, and despite a brief revival in the second set, it was the Latvian who took it relatively comfortably in the third set, 6-3 2-6 6-2.

Williams was the favourite against Sevastova in her second singles matches, but hit 30 unforced errors in a shambolic first set before being edged out in a dramatic third set tie-break.

The USA had their doubles pairing to thank as Kenin and Mattek-Sands made short work of the deciding match, winning 6-4 6-0 in an encounter that lasted little more than an hour.

America will be joined at the Finals by Spain, Russia, Germany, Belarus, Switzerland, Belgium, Slovakia, Australia, France, Czech Republic and hosts Hungary.

Fed Cup Singles

Boulter, Watson win to put GB in command against Mexico

16/04/2021 at 16:38

Fed Cup Singles

Fed Cup finals and play-offs postponed

11/03/2020 at 16:17

Fed Cup Singles

Holders France grouped with Russia for Fed Cup Finals

12/02/2020 at 11:36

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me