The USA could be at risk of a shock exit in the Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup after a difficult opening day in their tie against Belgium.
In the 63 years of the prestigious event, the USA have won a record 18 titles in the BJK Cup, previously known as the Fed Cup, but they have not lifted the trophy since 2017.
Under the guidance of captain Lindsay Davenport, who won the BJK Cup three times as a player, USA are hoping to reclaim the title in 2026.
Despite being without the likes of Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova, USA still have a strong team for their Qualifier tie against Belgium, which includes Australian Open quarterfinalist Iva Jovic, but things have not panned out as expected.
USA in danger of BJK Cup exit after going 2-0 down to Belgium
Jovic is one of the most exciting young talents on the WTA Tour, with the 18-year-old making her BJK Cup debut for USA against Belgium on the indoor clay courts of Ostend.
The American would take on 21-year-old Hanne Vandewinkel in the opening rubber of the tie, with her Belgian opponent also showing good form recently.
Vandewinkel has primarily competed on the lower-level ITF Tour this year, and after winning three titles she made her top 100 debut last month.
Despite there being 78 ranking places between the two players, it was actually the world number 94 Vandewinkel who beat Jovic 7-6(3), 6-3 to put Belgium 1-0 up in the tie against USA.
Hoping to level things up, Davenport then selected McCartney Kessler over the higher-ranked Hailey Baptiste to play against Belgium’s number one, Elise Mertens.
Kessler had won her two previous meetings against Mertens, and there was nothing to separate the two players at 3-3 in the deciding set.
However, this is when disaster struck for Kessler, as she appeared to jolt her back when hitting a serve and immediately called for a medical timeout.
After receiving medical attention, Kessler was unable to continue and subsequently gave Belgium a 2-0 lead in the tie, leaving the USA with a lot of work to do on day two.
Who has impressed you the most?
Who is playing on day two of the BJK Cup Qualifier between USA and Belgium?
There is a big day ahead for the USA, as they look to pull off an almighty comeback in Belgium.
Action on day two will kick off with a crucial doubles match, with Belgium knowing that they can book their spot in the BJK Cup Finals if they win this rubber.
Belgium are currently set to line up with the pairing of Greet Minnen and Magali Kempen, to take on Caty McNally and doubles specialist Nicole Melichar-Martinez.
If McNally and Melichar-Martinez are able to keep the tie alive, then Jovic is expected to play Mertens for the first time.
There will then be the potential of a fifth and deciding rubber, where the aforementioned Kessler was expected to play, but it seems as though it will be Baptiste who now plays Vandewinkel.
Do you think Coco Gauff will win a Grand Slam title this year?
The winner of the tie between Belgium and the USA will qualify for the BJK Cup Finals in Shenzhen later this year, while the loser will have to play a play-off tie.
If the USA were to lose to Belgium, then it would be the first time that they have not reached the last-eight of the BJK Cup since 2016.
