Ukraine will contest the Billie Jean King Cup final for the first time. Anhelina Kalinina and Elina Svitolina won both singles matches in Shenzhen on Saturday, September 26, to secure a 2–0 victory over Italy. The result ended the title defence of the champions from 2024 and 2025.
Kalinina puts Ukraine ahead
Kalinina beat Tyra Grant 6–3, 6–4 in one hour and 20 minutes. The 18-year-old Italian was making her competition debut after captain Tathiana Garbin selected her in place of Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
Kalinina secured the decisive first-set break to move 4–2 ahead. She broke again at the start of the second set and protected her lead. That opening win gave Svitolina an opportunity to settle the semi-final without a deciding doubles match.
Svitolina finishes the job in 63 minutes
Svitolina defeated Jasmine Paolini 6–2, 6–2 in one hour and three minutes. She broke serve five times, three in the opening set and twice in the second. Paolini had won ten consecutive matches in the competition before that run ended against the world No. 7.
Their rematch brought a different outcome from the 2025 semi-final. Svitolina had won the opening set against Paolini last year before losing the match, with Italy going on to win the tie 2–1. This time, the Ukrainian kept control through the finish.
Czechia await in the final
The title match is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, at 5pm in Shenzhen, or 6am in Brasília. Czechia are chasing a 12th title and have reached their first final since 2018.
After qualifying, Svitolina described the Czechs as favourites on paper but stressed that Ukraine still had work to do. She also spoke about what bringing a moment of joy to people back home meant during the war.
The official highlights cover both victories that decided the semi-final.
