SHENZHEN, China — Defending champion Italy reached the Billie Jean King Cup last for a 3rd straight yr after coming from behind to beat Ukraine 2-1 within the semifinals on Friday.
French Open champions Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini received the deciding doubles towards Marta Kostyuk and Lyudmyla Kichenok 6-2, 6-3. Within the second set, Kostyuk and Kichenok led 3-1 and had some extent for 4-2 however double-faulted.
It was the second level earned by Paolini, who was a set and 4-2 all the way down to Elina Svitolina however recovered to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 within the second singles.
Kostyuk gave Ukraine a robust begin by beating Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-2, 6-3.
Impressed by Paolini, the Italians defeated Slovakia within the 2024 last for a fifth title, having misplaced to Canada within the last in 2023.
Ukraine was taking part in within the semifinals for the primary time.
America will play Britain within the second semifinal on Saturday. The U.S. beat Kazakhstan within the quarterfinals, whereas Britain dispatched Japan.
The BJK Cup was previously often known as the Fed Cup, and the US is essentially the most profitable staff as an 18-time winner — however not since 2017.
