Ukraine reach the Billie Jean King Cup semi-finals, Italy again stand in the way
Ukraine's women's team reached the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, beating Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-final, Ukrinform reports.
Anhelina Kalinina won the opening point, recovering from losing a first-set tie-break to Jana Otsipka: 6-7 (6-8), 6-1, 6-1. Elina Svitolina took the first set against Greet Minnen but lost 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 4-6, so the tie went to the doubles.
Kalinina returned to court with Lyudmyla Kichenok, and the Ukrainian pair beat Magali Kempen and Lara Salden 6-3, 6-3.
In the semi-final Ukraine face Italy, who beat China. It is a repeat of last season, when Ukraine fell one set short of the final and Italy went on to lift the trophy. The semi-final is on Saturday, 26 September, at 12:00 Kyiv time.
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