Japan and Kazakhstan Set Sights on BJK Cup Finals in Crucial Qualifiers

As the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers get underway this week, Asia’s top contenders—Japan and Kazakhstan—will take centre stage in their respective three-nation round-robin groups, each with a place in the prestigious Finals on the line. With a blend of rising stars and proven talent, both teams enter the competition with momentum and belief, aiming to showcase the strength of Asian tennis on the world stage. Should they finish in top place after their three ties, which run from 10 to 13 April, Japan and Kazakhstan will join the other four group winners in the Finals in Shenzhen alongside another Asian team, the host nation China, as well as defending champions Italy.

GROUP A: Japan, Canada and Romania

While Kazakhstan looks to build on recent strong performances behind the likes of former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, Japan arrives with a hungry squad eager to make a statement in the nation’s push to return to the top tier of women’s team tennis. Japan has been drawn in a group with Canada and Romania, but are in a strong position to progress, especially as they will have home advantage as the hosts. They have chosen to compete on an indoor hard court at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, the same venue at which the WTA and ATP events are held.

Although they are without their star player, Naomi Osaka, Japan's team is filled with talent and depth. Four players return from the team who progressed to the last 8 at last year's Finals, namely Moyuka Uchijima, Ena Shibahara, and the experienced doubles pairing of Shuko Aoyma and Eri Hozumi. Also joining Captain Ai Sugiyama's team is the rising star, 20-year-old Aoi Ito, who has made a great impression on the tour with her skilful and unorthodox game style.

Uchijima and Ito are both at career-high WTA rankings of 51 and 104, respectively, and should not be underestimated. Uchijima has had some notable straight-sets wins over former Grand Slam champions Emma Raducanu and Jelena Ostapenko this season, and even pushed Coco Gauff to a third-set tiebreak in Indian Wells. Ito has also had a good year, having won a WTA 125 title in Brisbane and qualified for three WTA 1000 events. In addition, Shibahara, a former doubles specialist who successfully transitioned to the singles tour last year, showed her prowess in these condtions in the Finals last year. She put in impressive performances in her singles matches against Jacqueline Cristian and Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the ties against Romania and Italy, respectively; and as a former WTA world no. 4 in doubles, she's more than capable of stepping into that discipline if need be.

The Romanian team has a very different––and much younger––composition from the one that Japan faced in the Finals last year. 20-year-old Anca Todoni is their top player, with a current WTA ranking of 88. She comes into the Qualifiers in good form, having qualified for the Australian Open for the first time this year, and then recently winning a WTA 125 title in Antalya (although that was on clay). Other youngsters join the team in the form of 19-year-old Mara Gae and 22-year-old Ilinca Amariei, while Georgia Andreea Crăciun and Miriam Bulgaru complete the Romanian lineup.

Japan's biggest threat in the group comes in the form of 2023 champions Canada. The Canadian team is without their top player Leylah Fernandez, but former top-40 player Rebecca Marino returns from the team that reached last year's quarterfinals. Also joining Team Canada are Kayla Cross, Ariana Arseneault, Victoria Mboko and Marina Stakusic. 18-year-old Mboko is an incredible prospect and has shown outrageous form of late, winning an incredible five titles on the ITF Tour just this season alone, and most recently beating Camila Osorio and losing out to Paula Badosa in three sets at the Miami Open.

GROUP D: Kazakhstan, Australia and Colombia

Unlike Japan, Kazakhstan have had to travel abroad for their Qualifiers. They will join Colombia and hosts Australia in Brisbane at the Pat Rafter Arena, where the ties will be played on outdoor hard courts. With world No. 10 Elena Rybakina leading the charge, Kazakhstan enters as the most dangerous team in their group. Rybakina, a former Wimbledon champion and finalist at the Australian Open, gives Kazakhstan a clear edge in singles.

Backed by the fiery Yulia Putintseva, the current world no. 23, and the experienced Zarina Diyas, Kazakhstan boasts a formidable singles lineup. Doubles specialist Anna Danilina brings Grand Slam pedigree, having reached a major final in women's doubles, and she’s likely to partner with either Diyas or Zhibek Kulambayeva, rounding out a well-balanced squad with the depth to contend.

Australia, however, will be buoyed by home advantage and a squad filled with experience and versatility. Ajla Tomljanovic returns to lead the Aussies, with Storm Hunter expected to shine in doubles alongside Ellen Perez. Rising star Maya Joint and the consistent and in-form Kimberly Birrell add energy and depth.

Meanwhile, Colombia arrive as huge underdogs but with nothing to lose, hoping that Maria Paulina Perez-Garcia and the talented Yuliana Lizarazo can spring a surprise.