Italy returns to Billy Jean-Golden Cup Finals after a comeback against Ukraine
Shenzhen, China – Defending champion Italy reached the Billy Jean-Golden Cup final for the third consecutive year after defeating Ukraine 2-1 in the semifinals on Friday.
French Open champions Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini won the decision against Marta Kostyuk and Lyudmyla Kichenok, 6-2, 6-3. In the second set, Kostyuk and Kichenok led 3-1 with a score of 4-2, but double-cross.
This is the second point Paolini won, a game that beat Elina Svitolina 4-2 but won 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the second single.
Kostyuk provided a strong start to Ukraine by defeating Elisabetta Cociaretto 6-2, 6-3.
Inspired by Paolini, the Italian beat Slovakia in the 2024 final to win the fifth title and lost to Canada in the 2023 final.
Ukraine competes in the semi-finals for the first time.
The United States will play in the UK in its second semifinal on Saturday. The United States defeated Kazakhstan in the quarter-finals, while Britain sent Japan.
The BJK Cup was formerly known as the Fed Cup, and the United States was the most successful team to win 18 times, but it has not been the case since 2017.
