Billie Jean King Cup | Slovakia joins Italy in the final

(Málaga) Slovakia created a sensation by dominating Great Britain on Tuesday to reach the final of the Billie Jean King Cup in Málaga, where it joins Italy, victorious the day before over Poland.

In the decisive doubles, the Slovak pair composed of Tereza Mihalíková and Viktoria Hrunčáková defied the predictions against the British Heather Watson and Olivia Nicholls, although announced as favorites of the opposition, but defeated 6-2, 6-2.

Earlier in the afternoon, Rebecca Šramková had knocked down Katie Boulter in the second singles of the second semi-final of the Billie Jean King 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 Jasmine Paolini’s Italy (4th) in the final on Wednesday.^e world player), who eliminated Iga Świątek’s Poland late in the night from Monday to Tuesday (2^e).

After Emma Raducanu’s easy first singles victory over Viktoria Hrunčáková in two sets 6-4, 6-4, Boulter, 24^e world, nevertheless got off to a flying start, completing the first round in 37 minutes and suggesting that she would maintain this pace to qualify Great Britain.

This was without taking into account the obstinacy of Šramková, 43^e world player, who took 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.

The third set saw the seriousness of Šramková, broken then counter-broken, despite obvious signs of annoyance on her part, prevailing over the technique of Boulter, who lost on the Slovak’s second match point after saving the first one.