Great Britain, Spain, and Ukraine will compete in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in September, alongside host nation China, reigning champions Italy, and Kazakhstan. These three nations secured their places after winning their respective group stage matches on the second to last day of the Qualifiers.
Elina Svitolina was instrumental in Ukraine`s historic qualification for their first-ever Finals. She defeated Switzerland`s Jil Teichmann with a score of 6-4, 6-2, contributing to Ukraine`s overall 2-1 victory in Group E. Svitolina`s crucial win came after Celine Naef, a 19-year-old, upset Marta Kostyuk, despite a significant ranking difference. Svitolina demonstrated composure, winning the final three games of the first set and five of the last six to secure the match.
Svitolina expressed her pride in the team, stating, “I’m very proud of all the team for getting us to the Finals. We’ve been waiting for this for so long, to compete there and aim for the World Cup. Knowing I needed to win to get us to the Finals, I focused on each point and game. I`m very pleased with my performance and how I managed my nerves.”
This victory was not only a national milestone for Ukraine but also a personal achievement for Svitolina. It marked her 17th Billie Jean King Cup singles win, tying Elena Tatarkova`s Ukrainian record for the most singles wins in the competition.
Nadiia Kichenok and Katarina Zavatska completed an undefeated week for Ukraine by winning their doubles match against Naef and Susan Bandecchi, 6-4, 3-6, [10-5].
In The Hague, Great Britain secured their Finals spot for the third time in four years with a decisive doubles victory. The unexpected pairing of Katie Boulter and Jodie Burrage triumphed over Demi Schuurs and Suzan Lamens with a 6-2, 6-2 win. After each team won a singles match – Sonay Kartal defeated Eva Vedder in three sets, and Lamens defeated Boulter in straight sets – team captain Anne Keothavong chose to substitute Harriet Dart and Olivia Nicholls with Boulter and Burrage for the crucial doubles.
Keothavong commented, “You must seize opportunities, and as captain, I trusted these two. Their performance today validates that decision.”
Meanwhile, Spain achieved an upset victory over host nation Czechia. Cristina Busca and Jessica Bouzas Maniero both defeated higher-ranked opponents. Bucsa, recently crowned WTA 250 doubles champion in Bogota and ranked No. 94 globally, defeated Marie Bouzkova (ranked No. 58) 7-5, 6-1. Bouzas Maniero, ranked No. 69 and playing in her first BJK Cup, overcame Linda Noskova (ranked No. 33) 6-4, 6-2.
In other action on Saturday, a revamped U.S. team swept Denmark, who were without World No. 21 Clara Tauson, in Group C. This sets up a decisive match against Slovakia for a Finals spot. Hailey Baptiste and Bernarda Pera, both new call-ups, secured comfortable singles wins against Rebecca Munk Mortensen and Johanne Svendsen. Desirae Krawczyk and Asia Muhammad teamed up for the first time to win the doubles, completing the clean sweep. Canada will face Japan in Group A for the final remaining Finals berth.
