Czechs end Britain's Billie Jean King Cup run as Kartal and Boulter bow out

Britain were knocked out of the Billie Jean King Cup in the quarter-finals by the Czech Republic after Sonay Kartal, returning from a six-month injury, pushed world number 26 Marie Bouzkova to a deciding set in a 7-6(7-2) 4-6 6-4 marathon, and Katie Boulter lost 6-2 7-6(7-3) to Wimbledon finalist Linda Noskova. With Noskova and Muchova in the Czech team, Britain’s bid for a maiden title ends as the Czechs advance to face Kazakhstan or Spain in the semi‑finals; it’s Britain’s first non-semi-final finish since 2023.