Ukraine’s inspiring run at the Billie Jean King Cup continues. The nation booked its first-ever trip to the semifinals on Wednesday in Shenzhen, China, defeating Spain behind a stirring performance from Elina Svitolina.
The 31-year-old sealed a 2-0 historic victory with a bold triumph of 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 over Paula Badosa, clinking after two hours and nine minutes of hard tennis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aro05wzxrdm
Badosa, competing in her first match since Wimbledon due to a chronic back injury, pushed Svitolina to the brink and fought boldly. The Spaniard gathered from 4-1 down to decision makers and even held a resting point to serve the match against Svitolina serving in 5-5, 30-40, before Ukraine stays and grows in the finish line.
“It gives me the motivation to continue with all this belief that I have the level to be there again,” said Badosa, former world No.2, who showed promising signs despite losing.
For Svitolina, victory was about more than personal triumph. The veteran, which has long been developing young people in Ukraine, reflected in the importance of the moment for its war -torn nation.
“I think for all the girls in the team, it’s important to inspire the next generation,” she told the BJK Cup website. “Because of the war, the occupation, I think our sport has been thrown back for many years. Important is important to have these moments, joyful moments, just quick moments.”
Earlier in the tie, Martha Kostyuk set the table with a safe win 7-6 (3), 6-2 against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. The 22-year-old crossed the nerves in a narrow narrow set before competing with the victory.
“My Tiebreaks record is not the best this year, I really didn’t want to play Tiebreak,” Kostyuk said. “I feel like I was just trying to be there for every point. I think she just overloaded it a little. I was just patient.”
The victory also extends the perfect record of Captain Ilya Marchenko on top. Since taking over in November 2024, the former -Atp pro has led Ukraine to win in all four links.
Next: a semi -final collision with the reigning champion of Italy, which defeated China in their quarter -finals on Tuesday.
On the other side of the draw, Kazakhstan will face Team USA, while Japan takes the UK to determine the remaining semifinalists in Shenzhen.
