Australia beat Colombia in Billie Jean King Cup but fail to reach finals

Australia finish strong with 3-0 win over Colombia as Kazakhstan advance to Shenzhen.

Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia looks on during the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier tie between Australia and Colombia at Pat Rafter Arena on April 12, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia, as Kimberly Birrell of Australia faces Yuliana Lizarazo of Colombia. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Australia ended their Billie Jean King Cup campaign on a positive note by defeating Colombia 3-0 in Brisbane on Saturday, but the win was not enough to send them to the finals in Shenzhen. Despite the strong showing, Australia beat Colombia too late to change the outcome of Group A, as Kazakhstan had already secured the top spot and qualification.

Australia beat Colombia in Billie Jean King Cup encapsulates both the outcome and the significance of the match, which ultimately had implications for future rankings and seeding despite being a dead rubber for progression.

Maya Joint dominates in singles opener

Australian teenager Maya Joint gave her team the perfect start with a crushing 6-1, 6-0 victory over Colombia's Yuliana Monroy. Joint, showing confidence and control throughout the match, dismantled Monroy with relentless groundstrokes and clever angles that left her opponent with no answers. The 18-year-old's composure and power marked her as a rising star in Australia’s tennis future.

Kim Birrell seals the tie with convincing win

In the second singles rubber, Kim Birrell continued Australia’s dominance, defeating Yuliana Lizarazo 6-1, 6-3. Birrell played with rhythm and tactical sharpness, maintaining aggressive court positioning and showcasing excellent shot selection. The quick win ensured Australia had sealed the tie even before the doubles match began.

Doubles team completes the sweep

With the tie already decided, Australia's doubles team stepped onto the court with momentum and confidence. They completed the clean sweep, giving the host nation a 3-0 win over Colombia. While the doubles result did not impact the group outcome, it provided valuable ranking points that could influence Australia’s seeding for the play-offs in November.

Team captain Sam Stosur praised her players, saying, “It’s always nice to get wins. Everyone went out wanting to finish the week on a high. They should all be very proud of what they did.”

Kazakhstan clinch finals spot ahead of Australia

While Australia beat Colombia in the Billie Jean King Cup with style, Kazakhstan had already secured their qualification by defeating both Australia and Colombia earlier in the week. Led by top-20 star Elena Rybakina, the Kazakh team proved too strong and consistent in the group, ensuring their place in the eight-nation finals in Shenzhen, China, this September.

Australia and Colombia now face the play-offs in November to determine who will have a shot at qualifying for the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup. Saturday’s match still had weight in terms of seeding, with the winner receiving crucial ranking points that may improve their draw in the play-offs.

Japan off to a flying start in Tokyo

Elsewhere, Japan began their campaign with a dominant 3-0 win over Romania in Tokyo. Singles victories came from Ena Shibahara and Moyuka Uchijima, who overpowered Miriam Bulgaru and Anca Todoni respectively. The clean sweep puts Japan in prime position to qualify from their group, with a key clash against Canada set for Sunday.

With the current format transition reducing the finals from 12 to 8 teams, only the top team in each group progresses. Japan vs Canada is now a must-win encounter with Shenzhen qualification on the line.

Group B and C action heats up

In other key matchups, Great Britain and the Netherlands faced off later on Saturday, with the winner securing a direct spot in the finals. Ukraine, determined to stay in contention, aimed to outplay Switzerland in a critical Group E tie.

Group B featured a high-stakes match between Spain and the Czech Republic, two of the sport’s historic powerhouses. The outcome would determine who makes the trip to China. Meanwhile, in Bratislava, Team USA prepared for its first match against Denmark in Group C. Their group concludes on Sunday, when the Americans face host nation Slovakia in a potential decider.

Billie Jean King Cup format evolves

This year’s Billie Jean King Cup format reflects an evolution in the tournament’s structure. With six groups of three teams competing for eight finals slots, the format rewards only the group winners. The defending champions, Italy, are already guaranteed a spot, as are host nation China.

The Billie Jean King Cup, named in honor of the legendary tennis figure, continues to grow in stature as a premier women’s international team event. It remains a proving ground for emerging talent, as seen in Maya Joint’s breakout performance, and a battleground for experienced players aiming to deliver for their countries.

What comes next for Australia

Despite the disappointment of missing out on the finals, Australia can take several positives from their performance. They ended their campaign with a statement win, showing depth, emerging talent, and strong team spirit. The road to 2026 begins in the play-offs this November, where Australia will need to harness the momentum from Saturday’s win.

As Kazakhstan, Japan, and others advance, Australia’s campaign serves as a reminder of how narrow the margins are in this restructured competition. With the next generation stepping up and seasoned players like Kim Birrell delivering results, the future looks promising.

Australia beat Colombia in the Billie Jean King Cup, but the spotlight now turns to the global stage in Shenzhen. Whether in triumph or transition, the Billie Jean King Cup continues to inspire, unite, and challenge the best in women’s tennis.