Billie Jean King Cup Shenzhen Finals Quarterfinals Preview: Asian Powerhouse Japan Aiming for Great Results

As a traditional Asian powerhouse, Japan entered the Federation Cup in its second year, 1964, and their top result was reaching the World Group semifinals in 1996. In 2020, the Federation Cup was renamed the Billie Jean King Cup and underwent format changes. Japan has qualified for the finals two years in a row, last year losing 1-2 in the quarterfinals to eventual champions Italy, and this year they passed the qualifiers to face Great Britain in the first round of the finals.

According to the roster submitted on July 21, Japan is led by four-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka. Osaka won her first career title at the 2018 WTA 1000 Indian Wells, then claimed Grand Slam titles at the 2018 and 2020 US Opens and the 2019 and 2021 Australian Opens, showcasing exceptional hard-court strength during her peak. After giving birth in 2023, she made a comeback in 2024, struggled briefly, but recently regained form, finishing runner-up at this month’s WTA 1000 Montreal event and re-entering the top 25 in the world rankings.

Japan’s second singles player is Momoka Uejima, currently ranked No. 89, who made a breakthrough this year by reaching the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 Madrid tournament as a dark horse. On her way, she defeated top players like Jabeur, Pegula, and Alexandrova, which boosted her ranking to No. 47. In doubles, Uejima won her first title last year at the Jiangxi Open partnering with Guo Hanyu.

Ena Shibahara excels in doubles, having reached a career-high ranking of No. 4 in 2022. She won the 2022 French Open mixed doubles title with Dutch player Koolhof, was runner-up in women’s doubles at the 2023 Australian Open with compatriot Shuko Aoyama, and captured WTA 1000 doubles titles at Miami in 2021 and Montreal in 2023. In singles, Shibahara made her Grand Slam main draw debut at the 2023 US Open, exiting in the second round.

Eri Hozumi is a doubles specialist currently ranked No. 31 in women’s doubles, the highest among Japanese players, holding six tour-level doubles titles. At Grand Slams, she was runner-up in women’s doubles at the 2018 French Open with Makoto Ninomiya and reached the semifinals of the 2017 Australian Open partnering with Miyu Kato.

37-year-old Shuko Aoyama is a veteran on the Japanese team with a career-high doubles ranking of No. 4 and has won as many as 20 tour-level doubles titles. Her highlights include partnering with Ena Shibahara to win two WTA 1000 titles and finishing runner-up at the 2023 Australian Open. Aoyama holds the record for the most doubles wins for Japan in the Billie Jean King Cup, with a 25-6 record.

Ai Sugiyama

Japanese tennis legend Ai Sugiyama serves as team captain. During her playing career, Sugiyama had an outstanding record, appearing in 62 consecutive Grand Slam singles main draws, reaching the quarterfinals twice, and achieving a career-high singles ranking of No. 8. In doubles, she won three Grand Slam women’s doubles titles, reached No. 1 in the rankings, and also won the 1999 US Open mixed doubles title. Additionally, Sugiyama holds the record for representing Japan in the Billie Jean King Cup for the most years, totaling 12.

Led by Ai Sugiyama, the Japanese team has qualified for the Billie Jean King Cup finals two years running. This strong squad is gradually stepping into the spotlight of women’s tennis. With key players like Naomi Osaka and Momoka Uejima, they have the potential to set a new best performance in Shenzhen.

Billie Jean King Cup Shenzhen Finals Schedule

Each nation’s team roster for the Billie Jean King Cup finals was submitted by their tennis associations by July 21. Up until the day before the event starts, teams have four opportunities to adjust their lineups, with final participants confirmed based on actual circumstances.

The 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Shenzhen Finals will be held from September 16 to 21 at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center Gymnasium. According to the schedule, Japan will face Great Britain in the quarterfinals on September 18, with the match starting no earlier than 17:00. The winner will advance to the semifinals on September 20 against the victor between the United States and Kazakhstan.

Tickets for the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Shenzhen Finals are now fully on sale, with all sessions and ticket categories available for seat selection! Fans can purchase tickets through platforms such as “Kan Ge Bi Sai,” “Ticket Planet,” “Love Sports,” and “Damai.” Overseas spectators are advised to buy through “Kan Ge Bi Sai.” Fans worldwide are warmly welcomed to come to the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center Gymnasium (“Spring Cocoon”) to cheer for all the teams!