Ukraine advances to BJK Cup semi-finals for the initial time
In the ongoing women's team competition, Elina Svitolina, the world number 13, has guided Britain to the quarter-finals. The team will face Japan on Thursday, following Britain's victory over Ukraine in the previous round.
Svitolina's win came against Paula Badosa, a tough two-hour eight-minute battle that ended with a score of 5-7, 6-2, 7-5. Badosa, who was playing her first match since Wimbledon, had been sidelined with a back injury. Despite a break advantage slip and a saved set point while serving at 4-5 in the opening set, Badosa could not secure the victory.
The Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre, where the competition is being held, holds significant memories for Svitolina. It was here that she reached the championship match of the WTA Finals in 2019.
In the first match of the tie, Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska lost to Britain's Katie Boulter, who headlines the British team in the absence of Emma Raducanu. Meanwhile, Marta Kostyuk, another Ukrainian player, survived a tough match against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, improving her singles record in the competition to 9-3.
Anne Keothavong, captain of the British women's team, expressed her disappointment about the absence of Raducanu but is optimistic about their chances. "Obviously it's just disappointing not to have your top player here, but we're here and we're ready to go tomorrow," Keothavong said on Wednesday.
The Ukrainian team will face defending champions Italy in the semi-finals on Friday, should they manage to beat Italy in the quarter-finals. Japan, on the other hand, will be without four-time former Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka.
Svitolina expressed her gratitude for the team's performance and the support from the crowd. "Just to represent my country here in the World Cup, just being here, doesn't matter I win or lose, is such a big honour," said Kostyuk.
The United States take on Kazakhstan in the quarter-finals, adding another layer of excitement to the competition. The women's team competition promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with each team fighting hard to claim victory.
