Canada fails to qualify for Billie Jean King Cup Finals with loss to Japan
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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 Uchijima beats Stakusic to even tie:
Japan draws even with Canada at Billie Jean King qualifier as Uchijima defeats Stakusic
22 minutes ago
Duration 1:25
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.
"I'm really happy that I got the doubles done today," Shibahara said.
The BJK Cup Finals will be played in Shenzhen 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.
Canada's Mboko kicks off Billie Jean King qualifier with win over Japan's Shibahara
53 minutes ago
Duration 1:44
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.
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