Tereza Mihalikova and Viktoria Hruncakova’s doubles team pulled off an incredible comeback victory, advancing Slovakia to the Billie Jean King Cup final.
After defeating Hruncakova in the first singles match, Emma Raducanu gave Britain the lead. However, Rebecca Sramkova responded, came back stronger and defeated Katie Boulter in three sets.
Slovakia advanced to the final against Italy. Mihalikova and Hruncakova defeated the British duo of Heather Watson and Olivia Nicholls 6-2, 6-2.
Making history, Slovakia are making their first appearance in the women’s team event final since defeating Spain in 2002. After winning the doubles, Hruncakova said: “Emma played absolutely amazing, so I did not feel bad after the match, actually, and I was very hopeful that Rebecca could make a point for us and that we can play a deciding doubles… And that happened. It was the best doubles of our lives.”
Britain lost the chance to make it to the final for the first time since their 1981 defeat against the United States.
World number four Jasmine Paolini, who won gold with Sara Errani at the Olympics in Paris, will lead Italy in the doubles.
Source: CNA