Billie Jean King Cup 2026: Great Britain out as Sonay Kartal and Katie Boulter lose to Czech Republic

Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong says she “cannot fault” her team’s efforts after they were beaten by a strong Czech Republic side in the Billie Jean King Cup quarter-finals.

Keothavong’s team headed into the tie as underdogs, with all five Czech players placed higher in the singles rankings than any of the British squad.

Sonay Kartal produced a gritty performance as she returned to tennis after six months out with a lower back injury, but fell to a narrow 7-6 (7-2) 4-6 6-4 defeat in a marathon three-hour encounter with Marie Bouzkova.

Katie Boulter could do little to get Britain back into the best-of-three tie as she was outplayed 6-2 7-6 (7-3) by Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.

“It was always going to be a tough challenge against the Czechs,” said Keothavong.

“For both these players, it required their absolute best and a bit of luck for the result to go our way. I can’t fault their efforts.

“I think the Czechs are the strongest team here. I’d be surprised if they don’t go on to win this competition.”

It is the first time since 2023 that Britain have failed to reach the semi-finals at the Billie Jean King Cup and their wait for a maiden title will go on for another year.

The Czech Republic, who are 11-time winners of the tournament and the only team boasting two top-10 players at the Finals, will face either Kazakhstan or Spain in Friday’s semi-finals.

Playing her first match since retiring injured in the fourth round at Indian Wells in March, Kartal started well and struck early against world number 26 Bouzkova.

However, she was broken back immediately and Bouzkova dominated the tie-break to take the opener.

The Briton broke early in the second set and held on to force a decider, but her first double fault of the match handed Bouzkova a break for a 4-2 lead.

Kartal delayed defeat by saving three match points and breaking back, but Bouzkova restored her lead immediately to clinch victory after exactly three hours on court to put the Czechs in front.

“These events are my favourite, but they also sting the most,” said Kartal, who has dropped to 127th in the world rankings following her injury.

“Regardless of how long I’ve spent off the court, I can look back at that performance and be happy.

“I think it gives myself a lot of confidence going forwards for the rest of the Asian swing, knowing the first match back, that was the level I produced.”

Keothavong added: “She left it all out there. I have no regrets about my decision. I hope she’s proud. I know she’s proud of the performance.”

With Noskova and Karolina Muchova – this year’s Wimbledon finalists – in the Czech squad, it was always going to be a uphill battle for number one Boulter.

Two double faults in the first game saw Boulter drop serve early and world number six Noskova steamrolled her way through the opening four games before wrapping up the set.

Boulter improved in the second set and threatened to force a decider, but she was unable to create a single break point and Noskova took control of the tie-break to send her nation into the semi-finals.

“That’s what it takes against someone who has won a slam this year and is top 10. If I want to play that level, I have to take risks, go for it, not be scared,” Boulter added.

It was a second successive loss for Boulter at the hands of a Czech player, coming just three weeks after a 58-minute demolition by Muchova at the US Open.