Billie Jean King Cup: USA, led by locals Gauff and Pegula, beats Austria for spot in 12-nation final

With the Delray Affair arts and crafts show outside on Atlantic Avenue, Jessica Pegula applied the final brushstrokes to a USA masterpiece.

Pegula and Coco Gauff, two local figures from Boca Raton and Delray Beach, respectively, were perfect in leading USA to victory over Austria in Saturday’s completion of the Billie Jean King Cup qualifier.

Pegula routed Austria’s 73^rd-ranked Julia Grabher 6-1, 6-4 in steamy conditions to move USA ahead 3-0, later 4-0 with the doubles victory, and clinch the event, sending USA onto the 12-team finals in November.

Soon after Grabher’s forehand sailed along, Pegula, Gauff and USA teammates Caty McNally, Danielle Collins and Sofia Kenin jogged around the perimeter of the court, brandishing the American flag as the crowd of 2,500 cheered.

“I was really happy that I got to clinch the match today," said Pegula, who won Friday night’s opener over Sinja Kraus 6-0, 7-5. “Especially after winning a tough match last night. It’s fun and a privilege to be in this moment and do it, obviously with a little pressure."

Austria’s player introductions were played to the tune of “Rock Me Amadeus" and the European country proved that it is still more revered for its legendary composers than its tennis.

Austria doesn’t have a player ranked in the top 70 and couldn’t withstand South Florida’s Saturday afternoon sauna.

“I would say definitely it favors us," Pegula said. “Most of us are from Florida, used to playing in hot, humid conditions from training here."

The third-ranked Pegula got off to a flawless start holding at love in the first game with her opponent unable to put the American’s serve into play. She won 25 of her 27 first-service points.

“Jessica is a leader on and off the court," USA captain Kathy Rinaldi said.

Gauff’s second singles match Saturday did not have to be played, per rules, but Rinaldi, to please the fans at the Delray Beach Tennis Center, put her onto the doubles team with former partner McNally for the friendly match against Kraus-Melanie Klaffner. "McCoco" won 6-1, 6-4 for a 4-0 team title.

Gauff enjoyed her cheerleader role early Saturday, holding a mallet and drum on the team sidelines.

“I literally told my team my favorite part of this is honestly cheering more than playing," said Gauff.

Gauff distributed gifts to her teammates — snazzy headphones with the American flag on them. “Cool," Pegula said. “I actually lost my Bose headphones in Miami. I’ve been using old ones."

On Friday, Gauff made a bigger fashion statement with her sneakers.

The 19-year-old Gauff pummeled Austria’s Julia Grabher with seven aces in a 6-1, 6-3 victory to open up the qualifier in powerful style.

“Being from Delray, I had one goal and that was to protect this house," the sixth-ranked Gauff said Friday night. “I was a little nervous going into it but I heard how loud they were cheering for me. I watched here a few years ago (in 2013) when Serena and Venus (Williams) played and it's crazy for me to be on the team now.

“I had a very warm welcome, which I knew was going to happen," Gauff added. “It was a very special moment out there for me today playing for my country, my home city."

Gauff revealed she was wearing specially designed sneakers that have nearby Pompey Park, blocks from the stadium, patterned on the footwear — an ode to her youth.

“I had an artist paint it to make it those colors," Gauff said. “I grew up there. It's where I started tennis pretty much. Me and my dad. My brothers played baseball there. I spent a lot of time there — even now. My grandfather founded the baseball league and still is coaching. It’s a family thing and that’s why it’s on my shoe. A lot of locals know the place dearly."

The event was attended by a host of past USA champions — Billie Jean King Chris Evert, Rosie Casals, Andrea Jaeger and Andrea Leand, among others. The Williams sisters, who live in nearby Palm Beach Gardens, were invited but didn’t show.

The women’s tour takes a break this week as eight other qualifying bouts were staged across the globe.

Pegula, at No. 3, is the highest-ranked American on both tours and heard a handful of “Let’s Go Buffalo" shout-outs Friday night. Pegula’s parents own the Bills and Sabres.

Pegula, 29, has made the quarterfinals, semifinals or finals of every event in 2023. But she added, “I get so much more nervous playing in this format. It just feels different than we’re used to doing 99 percent of the time. The atmosphere feels crazier."

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Gauff, Pegula lead USA to victory in Billie Jean King Cup qualifier over Austria