Elina Svitloina sent Ukraine into the BJK Cup final in China with a 6-2, 6-2 defeat of Jasmine Paolini on Saturday at what organisers bill as the “women’s Davis Cup” in China.

The victory in Shenzhen clinched a spot for war-torn Ukraine against Czechia in the title match to be staged on Sunday in the metropolis near Hong Kong.

Italy, a two-time defending champion also lost the day’s opening rubber as  Anhelina Kalinina defeated Tyra Grant 6-3, 6-4.

Svitolina’s win counted as revenge for a loss she took to Paolini in the competition a year ago; she also ended a 10-match BJK win streak for the two-time Grand Slam champion from the south of Italy. .

“Just a really special moment for us, for Ukraine,” Svitolina said. “We are going through difficult times back home — all the people. It’s just unbelievable to get for the first time in a final.

“It was a really tough loss for me last year here,” she added after losing in 2025 from 4-2 up). I really had to be focused and really step up my game.”

The Czech are led in the final by Wimbledon winner Linda Noskova and runner-up Karolina Muchova while multiple Grand Slam champion Katerina Siniakova holds down the doubles duties.

Czechia owns 11 BJK (previously the Fed Cup) trophies, second only to the US with 18.

Main photo:- Elina Svitolina puts Ukraine into BJK final – by WTATennis.com

Laver Cup debutant Lerner Tien showed he’s fast on the rebound as the American took inspiration from coach Andre Agassi to level the Laver cup score a 3-3 with a Saturday win in London over Flavio Cobolli.

Tien, at 20 a young gun on the Rest of the World side, defeated Italy’s Roland Garros finalist 6-3, 2-6, 10-7.

With Day 2 win counting two points each, the victory in 97 minutes put teammates Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz on level-pegging heading into their later singles tests against Europe.

World has won four of the previous five titles in the exhibition run by Roger Federer’s management group in honor of the Swiss icons tennis idol, Rod Laver..

Tien, who won the spring Geneva ATP title, said he has to make a major reset after losing the second set to Cobolli, fighting back to win the match tiebreak third set at the O2.

“I can reset pretty easily,” the No. 13 said. “In this format, the score does not matter so much. Everyone always had a chance.

“To put the second set behind me was  pretty good.”

Tien dropped serve twice in the second set after winning the first. But his deciding set fightback made the difference for his side.

“I just went into lockdown, there are some moments where the ball if just there to go for it. It was still tough to get through.”

The youngster gave full credit to Agassi for his inspiration. “Andre has given me more knowledge than everyone combined.  It’s good to have a voice like that on the sidelines encouraging you. It’s very helpful.”

Casper Ruud and Rafa Jodar combined to start and finish Friday’s opening stage of the Laver Cup as their victories sent Europe into a 2-1 lead over Rest of the World in London.

Norway’s Ruud began day 1 play with a 6-7 (4), 6-4, 10-8 defeat of Argentina Francisco Cerundolo while Spanish prodigy Jodar finished off the programme 6-2, 6-4 ovr Alexander Bublik in a winning debut at the team exhibition conceptualised by Roger Federer in 2017 to hour is tennis hero Rod Laver.

Jodar, who turned 20 only days ago, spent 84 minutes in adding a point for Europe coached by French legend Yannick Noah and earning his own 38th match win of this breakthrough season.

“It was a pleasure to represent Team Europe for the first time. I felt great on court. I played against a tough player… I think the atmosphere was great, so thank you everyone for coming” the winner said.

The unpredictable Bublik was unable to match it with the Spanish youngster ranked 14th 

Jodar won eight of his final nine service points for the win. Jodar and Carlos Alcaraz combined for a one-two punch in the concluding doubles rubber, defeating Bublik and Taylor Fritz to end the day with a 3-1 European lead

Main photo:- Casper Ruud opens the scoring for Team Europe – ISF Ltd