Svitolina clinches BJK Cup finals spot for Ukraine

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