Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong says she "cannot fault" her team's efforts after they were beaten by a strong Czech Republic side in the Billie Jean King Cup quarter-finals. Keothavong's team headed into the tie as underdogs, with all five Czech players placed higher in the singles rankings than any of the British squad.

Sonay Kartal produced a gritty performance as she returned to tennis after six months out with a lower back injury, but fell to a narrow 7-6 (7-2) 4-6 6-4 defeat in a marathon three-hour encounter with Marie Bouzkova. Katie Boulter could do little to get Britain back into the best-of-three tie as she was outplayed 6-2 7-6 (7-3) by Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.

"It was always going to be a tough challenge against the Czechs," said Keothavong. "For both these players, it required their absolute best and a bit of luck for the result to go our way. I can't fault their efforts." It is the first time since 2023 that Britain have failed to reach the semi-finals at the Billie Jean King Cup and their wait for a maiden title will go on for another year.

The Czech Republic, who are 11-time winners of the tournament and the only team boasting two top-10 players at the Finals, will face either Kazakhstan or Spain in Friday's semi-finals. "I think the Czechs are the strongest team here. I'd be surprised if they don't go on to win this competition," Keothavong added.