To everyone’s surprise, Slovakia joins Italy in the final of the Billie Jean King Cup. Slovakia created a sensation by dominating Great Britain (2-1) this Tuesday, November 19, to reach the final of the Billie Jean King Cup in Malaga (Spain), where it joined Italy, victorious over Poland the day before. .
In the decisive doubles, the Slovak pair composed of Tereza Mihalikova and Viktoria Hruncakova defied the predictions against the British Heather Watson and Olivia Nicholls, although announced as favorites of the opposition, but defeated (6-2, 6-2).
Slovakia continues its exploits
Earlier in the afternoon, Rebecca Sramkova had knocked down Katie Boulter in the second singles of the second semi-final of the BJK Cup and snatched victory. The Slovak team of captain Matej Liptak, who dominated their subject from start to finish, is riding a virtuous circle which saw them dismiss the Americans in turn in the round of 16 and the Australians in the quarters. She will face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini (4th player in the world) in the final on Wednesday, who eliminated Poland’s Iga Swiatek (2nd) late in the night from Monday to Tuesday.
After Emma Raducanu’s easy victory in the first singles against Viktoria Hruncakova in two sets (6-4, 6-4), Boulter, 24th in the world, nevertheless got off to a flying start, completing the first set in 37 minutes and suggesting that it would maintain this pace to qualify Great Britain. This was without taking into account the stubbornness of Sramkova, 43rd player in the world, who was able to take advantage of a weak time from the British in the second set to lead 4-1. Returning to 4 all, Boulter once again lost his bearings, multiplying the errors and letting the second set slip away after a shutout from his opponent on the serve and a break suffered on his own.
Tense and tight, the third set saw the seriousness of Sramkova, broken then unbroken, despite obvious signs of annoyance on her part, prevailing over the technique of Boulter, who lost on the second match point of the Slovak after having saved a first.
