Ukraine stunned two-time defending champions Italy 2-0 in the Billie Jean King Cup semifinals in Shenzhen on Saturday, booking a first-ever appearance in the final of the women's team competition.
Anhelina Kalinina set the tone with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over 18-year-old Tyra Caterina Grant in the opening rubber, overwhelming the Italian teenager ranked 102 places below her. Grant was making her Billie Jean King Cup debut and struggled to contain Kalinina's consistency from the baseline.
Elina Svitolina then sealed the tie with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 win over Jasmine Paolini in one hour and three minutes. The world No. 7 broke Paolini three times in the opening set and added two further breaks in the second to avenge last year's semifinal loss to the Italian, who had come from a set and 4-2 down to win that encounter.
"It was a really tough loss for me last year here," Svitolina said. "So I really had to be focused and really step up my game."
The result ended Italy's reign as champions. Italy had lifted the trophy in each of the last two years, including a 2-0 victory over the United States in last year's final, and their overall tally stands at six titles. Paolini had been on a 10-match winning streak in the competition before Saturday's defeat.
Ukraine reached the semifinals without world No. 10 Marta Kostyuk, who was sidelined by a wrist injury. "Just a really special moment for us, for Ukraine," Svitolina said. "We are going through difficult times back home — all the people. It's just unbelievable to get for the first time in a final."
Ukraine will face Czech Republic in Sunday's final. The Czechs, second all-time with 11 titles, beat Spain 2-0 in their semifinal with straight-sets wins from Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova and Karolina Muchova.
Sources
https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/ukraine-stun-holders-italy-to-reach-first-billie-jean-king-cup-final https://www.sportsnet.ca/wta/article/a-really-special-moment-as-svitolina-seals-ukraines-spot-in-billie-jean-king-cup-final/
