Canada fails to qualify for Billie Jean King Cup Finals with loss to Japan, ending 4-year streak

Canada fell 2-1 in its tie against Japan on Sunday in Tokyo, snapping its four-year streak of making the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

With both teams having defeated Romania, the only other team in the group, both teams needed a win to make the Finals.

Canada will instead head for the 2025 Playoffs in November, where it will look to earn a spot in the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers.

WATCH l Japan advances with doubles victory:

Canada falls to Japan in qualifier at Billie Jean King Cup

3 days ago

Duration 1:45

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.

"Overall, I really do believe it was a great day. It was a very tough day, all matches were very close," Canadian captain Heidi El Tabakh said.

"I'm sure we're all disappointed we lost, but I'm very, very proud of every single girl on the team and the effort they put in today. We fought till the end, and it just didn't go our way."

Canada's 18-year-old Victoria Mboko opened the tie with a 6-4, 6-7 (8), 7-5 win over over Japan's Ena Shibahara. The opening singles match lasted two hours 45 minutes but put second-ranked Canada on the board first.

The 14th-ranked Japanese evened the score when Moyuka Uchijima defeated 20-year-old Canadian Marina Stakusic in the second singles match 6-3, 6-3.

WATCH l Uchijima beats Stakusic to even tie:

Japan draws even with Canada at Billie Jean King qualifier as Uchijima defeats Stakusic

3 days 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.

In the deciding doubles match, Canada's duo of Rebecca Marino and Kayla Cross fell 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 to Shibahara and Shuko Aoyama.

"I'm very, very, very proud of Rebecca and Kayla for showing up and playing the way they did this evening, playing against a very experienced Japanese team, one of the best players in the world," El Tabakh said.

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, Ukraine and the United States also won their qualifying groups. They will join the defending champion Italians and host China in the eight-team Finals.

The Finals will be held from Sept. 16-21 in Shenzhen.

WATCH l Mboko tops Shibahara in opener:

Canada's Mboko kicks off Billie Jean King qualifier with win over Japan's Shibahara

3 days 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.