Shenzhen, China – Defending champion Italy reached the Billy Junking Cup final for the third consecutive year since coming from behind after beating Ukraine 2-1 in the semi-finals on Friday.
French Open Champions Sarah Ellani and Jasmine Paolini scored decisive doubles against Marta Kostuk and Ludmira Kichenok 6-2, 6-3. In the second set, Kostyuk and Kichenok led 3-1, scoring points 4-2, but were double-falling.
This was the second point that he recovered to get 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 on the second single, despite being 4-2 up to Erina Svitorina.
Kostyuk got off to a strong start for Ukraine by beating Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-2, 6-3.
Inspired by Paolini, the Italian defeated Slovakia in their fifth title in the 2024 final and lost to Canada in the 2023 final.
Ukraine was playing in the semi-finals for the first time.
The US will play the UK in the second semi-finals on Saturday. The United States defeated Kazakhstan in the quarter-finals, while the UK sent Japan.
The BJK Cup was previously known as the Fed Cup, but the US is the most successful team with 18 winners, but not since 2017.
