The United States have stayed on course for a record-extending 19th Billie Jean King Cup crown after Taylor Townsend and Jessica Pegula won a doubles decider to edge out Kazakhstan 2-1 and set up a semi-final clash with Britain.

The tie hung in the balance after American Emma Navarro had dramatically saved two match points to outlast Yulia Putintseva 7-5 2-6 7-6 (8-6), only for an aggressive Elena Rybakina to level matters by dismantling world No.7 Pegula 6-4 6-1.

Kazakhstan, eyeing their first final appearance, then rolled the dice by selecting Rybakina and Putintseva for the decisive doubles clash.

But the Americans -- spearheaded by doubles world No.1 Townsend -- had other plans when skipper Lindsay Davenport teamed her up with Pegula.

The US pair survived an early scare when they s

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