Elena Rybakina leads Kazakhstan past Australia in Billie Jean King Cup qualifier

Former Wimbledon champion gives Kazakhstan dominant start with win over Kim Birrell in Brisbane.

Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan celebrates with teammates after securing match point against Kimberly Birrell of Australia during their 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier tie at Pat Rafter Arena on April 10, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

In a thrilling performance on Thursday, Elena Rybakina leads Kazakhstan past Australia in Billie Jean King Cup qualifier, securing a decisive advantage in the opening matches of the high-stakes tie at Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Arena. The former Wimbledon champion proved her mettle, overcoming a tough challenge from Australia’s Kim Birrell and giving Kazakhstan a commanding 2-0 lead.

Rybakina, currently ranked world number 10, demonstrated resilience and poise under pressure. Despite trailing in both sets—3-1 in the first and 5-1 in the second—the Kazakh star clawed her way back to win 6-3, 7-6 (7/4). Her victory added to Yulia Putintseva’s earlier dominant performance against 17-year-old Maya Joint, where Putintseva cruised to a 6-2, 6-1 win in just 74 minutes.

The two singles victories mean Kazakhstan holds an unassailable lead over Australia in the qualifier, securing their place in the Billie Jean King Cup finals later this year.

Rybakina's relentless fight back

Rybakina’s match wasn’t just about skill—it was about mental toughness. Facing a home crowd and a spirited opponent in Kim Birrell, she fell behind early in both sets. But the former Grand Slam winner kept her composure, using her powerful serve and baseline game to force errors and create openings.

“I played pretty well in the first set, but it was difficult and I was just trying to fight in the second set when I was down,” said Rybakina after the match. “Such a difficult match and super happy to bring the win for the team, and Yulia did a great job in her match.”

The victory improved Rybakina’s singles record at the Billie Jean King Cup to 8-1, a testament to her consistency and commitment when playing for her country. Her presence in the team has elevated Kazakhstan’s reputation on the global tennis stage in recent years.

Yulia Putintseva, ranked 23rd in the world, was in command from start to finish in her match against Australia’s Maya Joint. The Kazakh number two barely broke a sweat, using her variety and tenacity to dismantle the teenager’s game.

“It was definitely a good game for me,” Putintseva said. “I stayed focused, didn’t give her many chances, and executed the game plan well.”

Putintseva’s fast-paced and aggressive style gave her young opponent no breathing room. Joint, who is still developing her game on the international circuit, struggled to respond to the relentless pressure and the consistency of Putintseva’s groundstrokes.

The performances of Rybakina and Putintseva underscore Kazakhstan’s growing influence in international women’s tennis. While countries like Australia, the United States, and the Czech Republic have long dominated team competitions like the Billie Jean King Cup, Kazakhstan is quickly emerging as a nation to watch.

Rybakina’s 2022 Wimbledon title brought unprecedented attention to Kazakh tennis, and her steady rise in the rankings has made her one of the sport’s elite players. Meanwhile, Putintseva has continued to perform well on both the WTA Tour and the international stage.

Their combined success gives Kazakhstan a potent one-two punch that few nations can match, especially in the absence of their opponents’ top-ranked players.

Australia’s uphill battle

For Australia, the outcome in Brisbane is a tough pill to swallow. Without their top stars—such as Ajla Tomljanović or Daria Saville—the team leaned on rising players like Kim Birrell and Maya Joint to step up. While both gave valiant efforts, they were ultimately overmatched by the experience and firepower of Rybakina and Putintseva.

Team captain Alicia Molik praised her players for their efforts, saying, “It’s always tough going up against such a strong side. I’m proud of the fight they showed, and it’s all a part of the process as we develop the next generation.”

Molik and the Australian Tennis Federation are placing a strong emphasis on youth development, and despite the setback, the experience gained by Joint and Birrell will prove valuable in the long run.

With Thursday’s 2-0 lead, Kazakhstan is now poised to return to the Billie Jean King Cup finals, where they’ll face off against the world’s best. Their last appearance in the finals saw them fall short of the title, but with Rybakina and Putintseva in top form, expectations are high this time around.

The team’s chemistry, confidence, and depth could be enough to make a deep run—and possibly even challenge traditional powerhouses for the crown.

“It means a lot to us to play in the finals again,” said Rybakina. “We want to go as far as possible and make our country proud.”

Elena Rybakina leads Kazakhstan past Australia in Billie Jean King Cup qualifier, signaling the continued rise of Kazakh tennis on the global stage. With strong performances from both Rybakina and Putintseva, the team has secured their place in the finals, while also sending a message to their future opponents—they are not to be underestimated.

The Billie Jean King Cup is more than just a tennis competition; it’s a celebration of national pride, teamwork, and resilience. And for Kazakhstan, that pride now shines brighter than ever.