Team GB pulled off  a 3–1 victory over Australia in the Billie Jean King Cup in Melbourne,to secure  their place in the Finals in Shenzhen, China, next September.

17-year-old debutant Mika Stojsavljevic secured a huge win in her first ever tie.

Harriet Dart battled back from a set down to secure the crucial second point and with her  partner Jodie Burrage, teaming up for the first time, defeated Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez 6-3, 6-4 on Melbourne’s hard courts to clinch an unassailable 3-0 lead in the best-of-five qualifying tie.

The GB squad became the second side to qualify for September’s eight-team finals in Shenzhen, joining hosts China, with defending champions Italy confirming their place  by completing a 3-0 win over Japan.

Losers Australia will now have compete in November’s play-offs.

GB team captain Anne Keothavong is confident Great Britain can “do something special” as they eye up a maiden BJK title win.

Main photo:- Team GB celebrate in Melbourne – by LTA

Elina Svitolina will cut her losses in a sputtering 2025 season, with the Ukrainian ending her campaign early after a run of disheartening results.

The No. 13 will spend time with husband Gael Monfils and the couple’s daughter Skye after Svitolina called a halt to the current campaign.

Svitolina, a quarter-finalist in 2025 in Melbourne and Paris, lost in the first rounds at both Cincinnati and the US Open over the past six weeks.

She won a round for her country at the BJK Cup bit admitted the fire has gone out of her current game.

“I haven’t been feeling like myself lately. I’m not in the right emotional space, and I don’t feel ready to play, so I am therefore ending the season here,” the 31-year-old posted on Instagram.

“Over the years, I’ve learned that this sport isn’t about money, fame, or rankings—it’s about being ready to fight and to give your all. 

“Right now, I’m simply not at the level mentally or emotionally to do that. Not every day has to be productive, strong, or full of energy. Some days are heavy—and that doesn’t make me weak. 

“It just means I’m human and need time to rest, to feel, to breathe and to just be.”

Svitolina said she will cut her losses and work to regroup mentally over the coming months until the January Australian re-start.

“I’m giving myself the space I need to heal and recharge, instead of forcing it and when I step back on the court, I want to fight with everything I’ve got and put my best self on the court for the fans, for the game and for myself. Love, Elina.”

Her decision means he will miss the current Asian swing, with major events in Beijing and Wuhan.

Jasmine Paolini won her fourth match of the week on Sunday to hand holder Italy a sixth team title at the BJK Cup with a 2-0 Sunday defeat of the US in Shenzhen

The two-time Grand Slam finalist ranked eighth, closed the door on the Americans with her 6-4, 6-2 defeat of Jessica Pegula in the final.

Teammate Elisabeta Cocciaretto got the final day started, defeating Emma Navarro 6-4, 6-4.

The weekend win gives the Italians a sixth title in the team competition from the past 19 editions, as they defended the 2024 crown.

Team member Sara Errani, now concentrating on doubles at age 38, has played on five different title-winning teams, with her first success coming in 2009 – well over a decade and a half since her first trophy performance.

Paolini won her opening set against Pegula and took a 5-1 lead in the second, but was broken for 5-2 after wasting three match point chances

Moments later,she broke Pegula back to clinch victory.

Cocciaretto stunned 18th-ranked Navarra in 89 minutes to set the stage for her teammate to finish the job.“It was an unbelievable match for me,” Cocciaretto said. “I knew I had to play my best tennis. I’m really happy about the performance and the point that I gave to Italy.”