Tennis · Shenzhen
Ukraine and Italy advance to Billie Jean King Cup semifinals in Shenzhen
Ukraine and defending champion Italy secured 2-1 quarterfinal victories in Shenzhen to set up a semifinal clash, while Spain prepares to meet the Czech Republic.
AI text based on reports by Le Figaro.fr, SRF News, France 24 and other publishers. Published . How it is made
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In brief
Anhelina Kalinina and Lyudmyla Kichenok won the deciding doubles rubber 6-3, 6-3 against Magali Kempen and Lara Salden to secure Ukraine's second straight semifinal appearance.
Ranked 217th, Greet Minnen defeated world number seven Elina Svitolina 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 47 minutes to draw Belgium level at 1-1.
Jasmine Paolini defeated Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 7-6 (4) before teaming with Sara Errani to win the doubles decider against Guo Hanyu and Jiang Xinyu 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.
Spain will face the Czech Republic on Friday, while Italy plays Ukraine on Saturday ahead of the final on 27 September in Shenzhen.
- Friday semifinalSpain faces Czech Republic
- Saturday semifinalItaly plays Ukraine in a rematch of last year's semifinal
- Sunday finalChampionship match scheduled for 27 September in Shenzhen
Ukraine overcomes Belgium in deciding doubles rubber
Ukraine reached the Billie Jean King Cup semifinals for the second consecutive year by defeating Belgium 2-1 on Thursday in Shenzhen. World number 48 Anhelina Kalinina gave Ukraine an initial lead by beating 21-year-old Jana Otzipka 6-7 (6), 6-1, 6-1 across two hours and 10 minutes, while Otzipka committed 16 double faults. Belgium leveled the tie when 217th-ranked Greet Minnen defeated world number seven Elina Svitolina 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4 in a match lasting two hours and 47 minutes. Minnen secured her second career victory over a top-10 player, having defeated Garbiñe Muguruza at Wimbledon in 2022. Kalinina then teamed with former Wimbledon doubles champion Lyudmyla Kichenok to win the deciding doubles match against Magali Kempen and Lara Salden 6-3, 6-3 after establishing a 5-1 lead in the second set. Belgium contested the tie under captain Wim Fissette without Elise Mertens, Hanne Vandewinkel, and Jeline Vandromme, while Ukraine competed under captain Illya Marchenko without Marta Kostyuk.
Otzipka commented on her national team debut following her three-set singles match.
“I am really satisfied with my performance. I didn't expect that.”
Italy eliminates host China to set up Ukraine rematch
Two-time defending champion Italy secured a 2-1 quarterfinal victory over host nation China on Thursday to complete the semifinal bracket. China took the lead in the opening singles match when Zhang Shuai defeated Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-0, 6-2. Jasmine Paolini, the 30-year-old former world number four currently ranked 20th, brought Italy level by defeating Paris 2024 Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 7-6 (4). In the deciding doubles match, Paolini and Sara Errani defeated Guo Hanyu and Jiang Xinyu 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 across two hours and 15 minutes after dropping the second set. The result keeps Italy in contention for a third consecutive title and sets up a semifinal against Ukraine, repeating their semifinal encounter from last season.
Semifinal matchups and tournament schedule in Shenzhen
The tournament in Shenzhen moves into the semifinals with ties scheduled for Friday and Saturday ahead of Sunday's final on 27 September. Spain advanced earlier in the week with a 2-1 win over Kazakhstan and will play the Czech Republic in Friday's semifinal. The Czech Republic progressed with a 2-0 sweep against Great Britain, aiming for a 12th title in the competition formerly known as the Fed Cup. The United States holds the all-time tournament record with 18 titles but failed to qualify for the Shenzhen finals after losing to Belgium in April. Ukraine and Italy will play the second semifinal on Saturday, with the winner advancing to Sunday's championship match.
- Elina Svitolina
- 7
- Jasmine Paolini
- 20
- Anhelina Kalinina
- 48
- Zheng Qinwen
- 52
- Greet Minnen
- 217
- Jana Otzipka
- 474
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Sources and context
- Le Figaro.frTennis : l'Italie et l'Ukraine vont se retrouver en demi-finale de la Billie Jean King Cup
- SRF NewsNews aus dem Tennis - Vorjahressieger Italien komplettiert BJKC-Halbfinals
- France 24Italia y Ucrania se enfrentarán en semifinales de la BJK Cup
- AP NEWSUkraine reaches second straight Billie Jean King Cup semifinal by beating Belgium 2-1
- Anhelina Kalinina
- Ukrainian tennis player who won both her singles and doubles matches against Belgium
- Elina Svitolina
- World number seven Ukrainian tennis player
- Greet Minnen
- Belgian tennis player ranked 217th who defeated Elina Svitolina
- Jasmine Paolini
- Italian tennis player who won her singles rubber and decisive doubles match against China
- Zheng Qinwen
- Chinese tennis player and Paris 2024 Olympic champion
- Jana Otzipka
- 21-year-old Belgian tennis player ranked 474th making her tournament debut
- Sara Errani
- Italian tennis player who partnered Jasmine Paolini in the deciding doubles rubber
- Lyudmyla Kichenok
- Ukrainian tennis player who teamed with Anhelina Kalinina to win the doubles decider
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