The Star-Spangled Banner is all over Shenzhen this week after Team USA created history in the semis. The seven-year drought has finally come to an end for the country, thanks to Emma Navarro and Jessica Pegula‘s heroics in an all-important battle against Great Britain. But guess what? While the team is just one step closer to reclaiming the coveted trophy, a slight drama unfolded on Saturday after one member in particular was overlooked just a few days ago despite earning a crucial victory against Kazakhstan. Seems like Emma Navarro has finally regained the spotlight. How?

For the uninitiated, during the quarterfinal, Team USA picked up a big lead over Kazakhstan after Navarro beat Yulia Putintseva in the singles encounter with a scoreline of 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(6), that too in a decider. To her shock, however, when she came out for the on-court interview following her hard-earned win, it wasn’t her squad waiting to receive her. Instead, she was cheered on by crickets. Her reaction to being abandoned was, “Oh, my whole team left but I did have a great team of people sitting over here. I think they are gone now.” Thankfully, it wasn’t the case on Saturday after the 24-year-old once again handed USA a 1-0 lead against Great Britain as she defeated Sonay Kartal.

Kartal took the first set, but Navarro came back eventually with a score line of 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. While she was glad to see that her teammates, including Pegula, were there to cheer, she didn’t miss the chance to take a sly dig at all of them for what they did(n’t do) the last time. “My team is here. They heard about my outstanding interview, so they had to stay this time. I had to give them a lot of trash for leaving last time, but yeah they are here now so, best team in the world, let’s go!”

After Navarro’s heroics, Pegula took charge and beat Katie Boulter to give a winning 2-0 lead to her country. With that, Team USA is now into the Billie Jean King Cup Final. It is finally happening after a seven years losing streak since the year 2018. Team USA enthusiasts are stoked, to say the least.

After making it to the semis since 2021, the American team would like to create history after eight years. 2017 was the last year in which Team USA won the Billie Jean King Cup. But this week, the energy is high among players who are determined to alter the poor run of recent years. Coming back to Navarro, she has been critical to Team USA’s campaign in Shenzhen – and she knows it too.

Emma Navarro speaks about her intense win over Sonay Kartal in the semis

It seems Emma Navarro has learned the art of handling nerves in tense moments. Firstly, she showed it during the QF battle against Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva. The American snatched the first set, but Putintseva came back and leveled the fight, pushing the result into a decider.

Instead of losing her focus, Navarro stayed glued to delivering a winning performance. During a thrilling tiebreaker, she eventually bested Putintseva to provide an edge to her nation. Against British opponent Sonay Kartal, too, the youngster played in an identical manner. Despite losing the first set, she managed to emerge victorious in the end.

Speaking in the post-match interview, she revealed, “The level I walked off the court at was definitely higher than the level I walked onto the court with.” Navarro added, “That’s kind of what I always try to do every time I step on the court, whether it’s practice or a match. I always try to leave a little bit better than I came, as my coach says. I get a lot of confidence from knowing that I can be tough no matter the circumstances.”

Even Team USA’s Captain and former WTA icon Lindsay Davenport praised the fighting spirit of her squad. “All of these wonderful players on my team know how to play in big moments and under pressure. It’s nothing new,” she told ahead of the summit clash.

Back at home, fans will now expect another win on Sunday. The American squad, in its 31st Billie Jean King Cup final, will take on Italy. The latter was the winner in last year’s edition. Who do you think will clinch the prestigious title in 2025? Let us know your predictions in the comments below.