The United States, along with Poland and the Czech Republic, thwarted Ukraine’s march to the final

Ukraine barely advanced in an exciting bid to return on Saturday, losing 3-2 to the United States, who secured a place in the Billie Jean King Cup final.

Delaying 0-2 Early in the day, Ukraine won the singles singles from Dayana Yastremska and Katerina Zavatska with a draw before Asya Muhammed and Jessica Pegola beat Yastremska and Ludmila Kieszynok in the decisive doubles match 7:6 (7/5), 6-3. .

The final ended an exciting week in Asheville, North Carolina, with the Ukrainian players admitting that it was difficult to focus on the task at hand given the concerns of family and friends at home during the ongoing Russian invasion.

“I’ve always loved representing my country, but it’s hard to describe now,” Yastremska said after the 6-3 6-4 win over Pegula. “My heart stays at home, but my mind is here.”

The Ukrainians at least had moments to celebrate, including Zavatska’s 6-3 6-4 victory over 46th seed Shelby Rogers, which tied 2-2.

“I was in the zone,” Zavatska said, happy after her first win of her career with the 50-year-old.

The United States was the last to secure a place in the finals on the day that world number one Poland, Iga Šwieciek, beat Andrea Brisacario of Romania 6-0 6-0 from 324th place in 45 minutes and secured the home side’s victory in the finals. Radom.

“Really proud of us,” said Schweitek, who only lost one singles match this weekend.

“It has been a long journey. It has taken us several years to develop and finally qualify, step by step.”

Poland will be hoping to improve on their best ever performance in the tournament – the 1992 quarter-finals – in the November final.

In Prague, the Czechs defeated Great Britain in the decisive doubles competition, defeating Karolina Muchova and Marketa Vondrosova, Harriet Dart and Katie Swann 6-1, 7-5.

Vondrosova defeated US Open champion Emma Radocano 6-1 6-1 to give the hosts the lead in their first singles match.

“The result seemed easy, but it was a difficult match and he had a slight injury,” Vondrosova said.

Raducano led the UK to his first professional claycourt match on Friday after a tough win over Teresa Martinkova, but he ran into problems on Saturday.

“I have a bladder on my foot after yesterday’s game,” she said. BBC. “It totally hampers my movement, and it’s hard to chase the ball.”

Dart then retired from British level despite some tense moments when she defeated 16-year-old Linda Frohvertova 6-0, 5-7, 6-2.

Kazakhstan is eligible

Elena Rybakina snatched Kazakhstan’s victory over Germany with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory over Angelique Kerber in Nur-Sultan to make her country reach the final for the first time.

In Sardinia, Camila Giorgi won 12 consecutive matches, defeating French side Harmony Tan 6-2, 6-0, giving Italy an irreplaceable 3-0 advantage.

Tan, who is ranked 107th in the world, favored 34th seed Alize Cornet and jumped to a 2-0 lead before Giorgi topped out the big kick.

“I’m happy, it was a great match,” Giorgi said. “It was a little tricky at first, then I fixed my game.”

Since winning the tournament for the third time in 2019, France have lost all three matches.

Spain is the only team to win away from home, as Sara Sorribes Tormo secured her place in the final, defeating Arantexa Ross 6-0, 6-4 against S-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands.

Canada beat Latvia 3-0, defeating Leila Fernandez 6-2, 6-1 in Vancouver over Daniela Vismani.

It will enter the finals in Switzerland, Australia, Belgium and Slovakia later this year.

Russia and Belarus, the defending champions, were excluded from the competition due to the invasion of Ukraine.

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