U.S. earns hard-fought 2-0 lead in 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier vs. Belgium

LAKE NONA, Fla. - The overall scoreline at the end of the first day of play at the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier between the U.S. and Belgium wasn't a surprise. But the road to get there certainly was. 

The heavily-favored U.S. team got Lindsay Davenport's tenure as captain off to the perfect start by winning both of its singles matches on Friday night at the USTA National Campus. But the red, white and blue needed the maximum number of sets to cool off a pair of inspired Belgian teenagers, Sofia Costoulas and Hanne Vandewinkel, both of whom are currently ranked outside the world's Top 275. 

Pegula put the hosts out to a 1-0 lead thanks to a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 win over Costoulas, the 2022 Australian Open junior finalist, before Navarro came from a set and a break behind to defeat Vandewinkel 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a match between two Billie Jean King Cup rookies that lasted an even 2 hours and 30 minutes. 

"I remember in I believe it was 2000, we were pretty heavy favorites against a Belgian team, against two teenagers. I think it was Jennifer [Capriati] and I. It was [Kim] Clijsters and [Justine] Henin. Look what happened to them," Davenport said afterwards.

"Couldn't be more proud of my two ladies. Really tough matches. We knew the Belgians were going to be tough. We weren't worried about rankings or ages or anything. I think Jess said it earlier in the week. Everybody plays their best in this event. They played sensational. ... My players fought.

"It was awesome. Again, these two are both warriors. Did they play their absolute best tennis? No. I think that's what makes it more special, they figured out ways to win against two players that played exceptional tennis. I do believe in my heart two players you're going to be hearing more about in the future."

Pegula, who improved to 5-2 all-time for her national team in this competition, saw an early first-set lead evaporate after she failed to convert a trio of break points that would've given her a 4-1, double-break lead in the opener. Instead, the teenager won four straight games to take a one-set lead against not only her first-ever Top 10 opponent, but her first in the Top 100. 

"She came out I feel like playing at a pretty high level," Pegula said, while also admitting to feeling "flat" early on. "I was a little nervous and kind of unsure what to expect. Had no idea of how she played really or what to expect. I expected her to play well just because she has nothing to lose."

But Pegula found a spark from both Davenport, who "did a great job of keeping [her] super locked in the entire time," and the U.S. bench, which featured a special guest cameo from Ben Shelton, Chris Eubanks and Mackenzie McDonald.