Ukraine stun holders Italy to reach first Billie Jean King Cup final
SHENZHEN: Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina and Anhelina Kalinina swept aside twice defending champions Italy in the Billie Jean King Cup semi-finals on Saturday, sending the country to the final for the first time and setting up a showdown with Czech Republic.
In the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina and Anhelina Kalinina defeated defending champions Italy, earning the country its first appearance in the final. Svitolina, ranked 48th in the world, and Kalinina, ranked 152nd, swept aside Italy with a 2-0 record in the best-of-three match. The Ukrainian duo will now face the Czech Republic, who secured their first final appearance since 2018 after victories against Spain.
Italy, who have won the prestigious women's team competition six times, lifted the trophy in 2021 and 2022, including a 2-0 victory over the United States in last year's final. The Czech Republic, with Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova and Karolina Muchova, will aim to become the first team to win a 12th title in the competition.
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