Svitolina propels Ukraine into first Billie Jean King Cup final

At the Billie Jean King Cup semifinals in Shenzhen, Ukraine secured its inaugural final appearance after Elina Svitolina overwhelmed Italy’s Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-2, sealing a 2-0 team win. The opening point came when Anhelina Kalinina defeated debutant Tyra Caterina Grant 6-3, 6-4. Svitolina, who lost to Paolini in the previous year’s semifinal, described the achievement as a “really special moment” for a country facing hardship.

Ukraine will face Czechia in the final, a side featuring Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, runner-up Karolina Muchova and top doubles player Katerina Siniakova. Czechia earned its place after beating Spain and Britain in earlier rounds, while the United States, the record holder with 18 titles, did not qualify.