BJK CUP: AUSTRALIA CRUSH COLOMBIA 3-0 AS JOINT AND BIRRELL CLAIM MAIDEN WINS

Maya Joint celebrates with her team after securing victory. (Getty/Andy Cheung)

Maya Joint and Kimberly Birrell led Australia to victory over Colombia in the final tie of Billie Jean King Cup qualifying in Brisbane.  

It was the first singles match win for Joint and Birrell, who both won comfortably. 

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Joint took care of Yuliana Monroy 6-1 6-0 in just 48 minutes, hitting 22 winners past the 734th-ranked Colombian, and she was delighted with the win.

"It’s very special, I feel really happy right now," she said. 

"It’s such an honour to be part of this team, to play alongside them and be selected, it’s an amazing feeling."

After the win, the teenager admitted there was pressure before her first match against Kazakhstan.

"I was really, really nervous last match, I felt a little more free this time," she said. 

The victory is also an early birthday present for Joint who turns 19 when in Madrid next week. 

And how will she celebrate? 

"I haven’t really thought about it that much," she said laughing.

"I don’t really do anything too special, it’ll just be nice to be surrounded by friends."

Birrell claims her first win to clinch the tie

Australia’s Kimberly Birrell sealed the tie by defeating 684th-ranked Yuliana Lizarazo 6-1 6-3.

It was the first BJK Cup singles victory for the Queenslander on her sixth attempt. 

"I’ve had a few opportunities and haven’t quite got there and some really close, really tough losses," she said. 

"The losses playing for Australia have been some of the toughest of my career.

"So to have this memory now, to have this win under my belt will only help me."

Birrell also acknowledged the home crowd support she received. 

"Thank you so much for such an amazing atmosphere to play in," she told the fans after the match. 

"It’s a dream come true to represent Australia on my home court."

Hunter and Perez complete the sweep

Australia’s world-class doubles combination of Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez finished the tie with another win. 

They took care of Colombia’s Valentina Mediorreal Arias and Maria Paulina Perez-Garcia 6-0 6-1.

The pair finish the week in Brisbane unbeaten after also winning their match against Kazakhstan. 

Australia relegated to BJK Cup play-offs

Despite the win over Colombia and finishing second in the group, Australia did not qualify for the BJK Cup finals in Shenzhen. 

As winners of Group D, Kazakhstan advance while Australia and Colombia will compete in November’s play-offs.

The play-offs will include the 12 teams who didn’t advance from qualifying plus nine teams who won their regional Group 1 events. 

The 21 teams will be placed into seven groups of three with the winners advancing to the BJK Cup qualifying in 2026.

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