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.

The US reached the BJK Cup finals for the first time in seven years on Saturday and will face off against Italy in the final in Shenzhen,

Both Emma Navarro and Jessica Pegula needed to go the distance with fightbacks in their singles matches to clinch a title match spot for the Americans, who defeated Britain in their semi-final.

Navarro began the tie with a win against Sonay Kartal 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 who led their contest by a set and a break.

2024 US Open finalist Pegula needed to rally to complete her 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 result over Katie Boulter which guaranteed a place in the final.    

Italy and the US have played 11 times in the competition’s previous incarnations as the Fed Cup – which began in 1963 – with their last meeting coming in 1992.

The US has reached the final a record 31 times.

Should the US defeat holder Italy, it would mark a 19th title for the north Americans.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever been into a final, the first time “we all have been” Pegula said.

“We’re happy about today. We’ve got to regroup and be ready for Italy.

“We’re just really enjoying the moment, it’s a privilege to be amongst all these girls and to experience it.”

Added Boulter: “I always love walking out there and playing for my country, for me it’s where I get my biggest wins and my lowest losses, as well.

“(Today will) motivate me for a very long time. I can’t expect myself to win every time.

“But I’m actually at a stage where I expect myself to win those matches, which is why it hurts more.”

Should the US defeat holder Italy, it would mark a 19th title for the north Americans.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever been into a final, the first time (we) all have been,” Pegula said.