Ena Shibahara and Shuko Aoyama defeated Kayla Cross and Rebecca Marino 6-3, 5-7 6-2 in the decisive doubles match to secure Japan a spot in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals on Sunday in Tokyo.
Canada had taken a 1-0 lead when Victoria Mboko defeated Shibahara 6-4, 6-7 (8), 7-5. Japan evened the tie with Moyuka Uchijima beating Marina Stakusic 6-3, 6-3 in the second singles.
WATCH l Japan advances with doubles victory:
Rebecca Marino and Kayla Cross of Canada fell to Ena Shibahara and Shuko Aoyama of Japan 3-6, 7-5, 2-6 in the decisive doubles match of the Billie Jean King Cup qualifier in Tokyo.
“I’m really happy that I got the doubles done today,” Shibahara said.
The eight-team BJK Cup Finals will be played in Shenzhen, China, in September, when Japan will be making its second consecutive Finals appearance and will try to match its best-ever performance. It reached the semifinals in 1996.
WATCH l Uchijima beats Stakusic to even tie:
Marina Stakusic of Canada was defeated by Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima 6-3, 6-3 in match two of the Billie Jean King qualifier in Tokyo Sunday, forcing a third and deciding match.
The Canadian team, which also included Ariana Arseneault, opened with a 3-0 sweep of Romania on Friday. Canada won the 2023 title before losing to Great Britain in last year’s quarterfinals.
Great Britain, Kazakhstan, Spain and Ukraine also won their qualifying groups. They will join the defending champion Italians and host China in the Finals, with the United States facing Slovakia for the last spot later Sunday.
WATCH l Mboko tops Shibahara in opener:
Victoria Mboko of Canada defeated Japan’s Ena Shibahara 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-5 in the opening match of the Billie Jean King qualifier in Tokyo Sunday giving Canada a 1-0 lead.