Tennis

In a thrilling Billie Jean King Cup Play-Off tie, Ukraine staged a remarkable comeback to edge Austria 3-2 and secure a spot in the 2025 Qualifiers. Despite playing thousands of miles away from home, the Ukrainian squad, led by new captain Illya Marchenko, displayed unwavering determination to overcome a 1-2 deficit.Katarina Zavatska emerged as the unlikely hero for Ukraine, dispatching Julia Grabher in straight sets and teaming up with Nadiia Kichenok to clinch the decisive doubles victory. Zavatska's resilience and fighting spirit proved invaluable, as she played three grueling matches over two days."It's amazing. It's all credit to my team, which gave me so much energy," Zavatska said after the victory. "Our emotions just exploded. It goes out from the body. We cry, we laugh. It's so exciting that we can go through. This tie was so important."Despite the absence of star players Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk, Ukraine's team spirit and determination shone through. Svitolina, recovering from foot surgery, traveled to support her teammates and expressed her pride in their performance."I am very proud of the girls for the fight, for the spirt that they brought," said Svitolina. "Winning this tie means a lot to us. It's been really tough the last couple of weeks, the last two days has been a horrible time for Ukrainian people in general. We really wanted to get the win for Ukraine."Ukraine's victory ensures their place in the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers, where they will aim to earn a berth in the Finals. Other nations advancing to the Qualifiers include Switzerland, China, Kazakhstan, Colombia, the Netherlands, Brazil, and Denmark.

In a thrilling Billie Jean King Cup semifinal clash, world No. 2 Iga Swiatek overcame a spirited challenge from world No. 4 Jasmine Paolini to secure a hard-fought 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory for Poland. The match sent the tie to a decisive doubles rubber.Paolini, who had previously won only nine games in three encounters with Swiatek, displayed remarkable determination in the opening set. She broke Swiatek's serve twice to seize a 4-0 lead and eventually claimed the set 6-3.However, Swiatek, known for her resilience, refused to be deterred. She saved 13 of the 16 break points she faced, including all five in the second set. Swiatek's unwavering focus and clutch play proved pivotal as she broke Paolini's serve in the eighth game of the second set to level the match.In the third set, Swiatek continued to apply pressure on Paolini's serve. Despite Paolini's valiant efforts to stay in contention, Swiatek's consistent service holds and timely breaks proved too much to overcome. In the final game, Paolini faltered under pressure, allowing Swiatek to seal the victory and keep Poland's hopes of reaching the final alive.Earlier in the tie, Lucia Bronzetti had given Italy a 1-0 lead by defeating Magda Linette 6-4, 7-6(3). Bronzetti, making her Billie Jean King Cup singles debut, displayed impressive composure to overcome Linette's challenge.With the tie level at 1-1, the outcome now rests on the doubles match between Poland's Alicja Rosolska and Magdalena Frech and Italy's Martina Trevisan and Elisabetta Cocciaretto. The winner of this crucial encounter will advance to the championship tie.

Britain and Slovakia Advance to Billie Jean King Cup SemifinalsIn a thrilling day of tennis at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain, Britain and Slovakia emerged victorious in their quarterfinal matches, setting up a mouthwatering semifinal clash.Britain, a four-time finalist, kept its title hopes alive with a 2-0 triumph over defending champion Canada. Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, opened the tie with a dominant 6-0, 7-5 victory over Rebecca Marino. Katie Boulter then sealed the deal with a hard-fought 6-2, 6-4 win against Leylah Fernandez."We have a great team and a great chance," said Boulter. "We're going to keep believing, keep trusting it, and keep enjoying it."Slovakia, meanwhile, continued its impressive run with a 2-0 victory against Australia. Rebecca Sramkova cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 win over Ajla Tomljanovic, while Viktoria Hruncakova rallied from a set down to defeat Kimberly Birrell 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-3.Slovakia had previously stunned the United States, the competition's most successful nation, in the first round.In the semifinals, Britain will face Slovakia, while Iga Swiatek's Poland will take on Italy. Italy lost last year's final to Canada.

Jasmine Paolini's remarkable 2024 season has been adorned with an array of accolades, including two Grand Slam runner-up finishes, an Olympic gold medal in doubles, and a Top 5 WTA ranking. However, one elusive memento remains on her wish list: a selfie with Rafael Nadal.Paolini's quest for a complete set of selfies with the Big 3 began at previous Olympics, where she captured photos with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. In Paris, she and doubles partner Sara Errani achieved their goal of winning a medal, but Paolini's attempt to secure a photo with Nadal fell short.Fate has granted Paolini a second opportunity in Malaga, where the inaugural Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup Finals are being held. Leading the Italian Billie Jean King Cup team, Paolini faces a formidable challenge in their pursuit of a fifth title. Meanwhile, Nadal will compete alongside Carlos Alcaraz and the Spanish team in his final career tournament.Against Japan in the quarterfinals, Paolini's unwavering determination propelled Italy to a 2-1 comeback victory. Her win against Moyuka Uchijima and subsequent doubles triumph with Errani sealed the tie.Paolini's relentless pursuit of her scrapbook goal was evident when she rewarded herself with a front-row seat to one of Nadal's practices on her day off. Finally, she managed to capture a precious photo, albeit from the entrance to the court where Nadal trained."Step by step, getting closer to that legendary selfie with Rafa… but not done yet!" Paolini wrote on Instagram, sharing a snapshot with Nadal visible in the background.Whether Paolini will secure her perfect shot remains to be seen. However, her next mission is to guide Italy past world No. 2 Iga Swiatek and Poland in Monday's semifinals.

Great Britain's Billie Jean King Cup team has stormed into the quarterfinals with a dominant 2-0 victory over Germany in Malaga, Spain. Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter showcased their prowess, securing straight-set wins against Jule Niemeier and Laura Siegemund, respectively.Despite a challenging build-up due to severe weather, both teams displayed contrasting approaches. While Germany opted for privacy and limited media exposure, Great Britain exuded a buoyant mood, celebrating Raducanu's birthday with yoga and cake.Raducanu's performance against Niemeier was a testament to her resilience. Despite a long layoff due to injury, she displayed agility and forced Niemeier into extended rallies. Unforced errors and double faults proved costly for the German, who fought valiantly but ultimately fell short.Boulter's victory over Siegemund was equally impressive. The 36-year-old German, known for her versatility and crowd-pleasing abilities, was unable to match Boulter's dominance. Boulter's aggressive play and control of the court led to a swift 6:1, 6:1 triumph.With two individual victories, Great Britain secured their quarterfinal berth without the need for a doubles match. They will now face defending champions Canada, led by Leylah Fernandez. Boulter, as the highest-ranked player, is likely to face Fernandez in a highly anticipated clash."She's a great player and I have a lot of respect for her," said Boulter. "It will be an absolute battle, but I'm looking forward to it."Great Britain's victory is a testament to their team spirit and determination. They have overcome adversity and are now poised to challenge for the Billie Jean King Cup title.

Billie Jean King Cup 2024 Postponed in Malaga Due to Severe WeatherThe highly anticipated Billie Jean King Cup 2024, scheduled to commence in Malaga, Spain, has been postponed due to a severe weather alert issued by local authorities. The tournament was set to kick off on Wednesday, November 13, with hosts Spain facing Poland.However, on Tuesday night, local authorities issued an alert warning of torrential rain, thunderstorms, and potential flooding. As a result, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) made the difficult decision to cancel all play on Wednesday. The suspension also affected schools, sporting activities, and local transportation.The ITF prioritized the safety of all participants and attendees, stating in a statement: "This decision has been made based on guidance from the relevant authorities to ensure the health and safety of all participants and attendees. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and cooperation."The postponement comes just two weeks after devastating flash floods in the Spanish region of Valencia claimed over 200 lives. The ITF, along with the Billie Jean King and Davis Cups, had previously appealed for donations to the Spanish Red Cross in the wake of the disaster.The revised schedule has been announced, with Spain's match against Poland rescheduled for Friday, November 15, at 10 am local time. All tickets purchased for the original date remain valid.The first match of the Billie Jean King Cup is now set to be Japan against Romania at 10 am on Thursday, November 14. However, official confirmation of the schedule is still pending.The postponement serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather and the importance of prioritizing safety in such situations. The ITF and the organizers of the Billie Jean King Cup are committed to ensuring the well-being of all involved and will continue to monitor the weather conditions closely.

The Billie Jean King Cup Finals, the prestigious women's tennis tournament, kick off on Wednesday in Malaga, Spain, with 12 nations vying for the coveted trophy. Canada, Australia, Czechia, and Italy have earned byes into the quarterfinals, while the remaining eight teams will battle it out in the first round.First-Round Matches:* Spain vs. Poland (winner faces Czechia)* Slovakia vs. United States (winner faces Australia)* Japan vs. Romania (winner faces Italy)* Germany vs. Great Britain (winner faces Canada)Predictions and Analysis:Tennis experts have weighed in with their predictions and insights on the tournament:* Finalists: Italy is a popular pick to reach the final, with Jasmine Paolini's versatility and doubles prowess being key factors.* MVP: Jasmine Paolini is widely considered the most valuable player, with her exceptional skills in both singles and doubles.* Dangerous Team: The United States, despite missing Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, is seen as a potential threat with Danielle Collins leading the young squad.Other Contenders:* Poland: Boasting Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked singles player, Poland is a formidable opponent.* Czechia: With a strong lineup in both singles and doubles, Czechia is a perennial contender.* Great Britain: The experienced British team could make a deep run in the tournament.* Canada: The defending champions, Canada, will be motivated to retain their title.Key Factors:* Doubles: Doubles matches can often determine the outcome of ties, and teams with strong doubles pairings will have an advantage.* Home Advantage: Spain will benefit from playing in front of a home crowd, which could give them an extra edge.* Team Spirit: The camaraderie and support within a team can play a significant role in their success.The Billie Jean King Cup Finals promise thrilling matches and intense competition as the world's top women's tennis players battle for the ultimate prize.

Naomi Osaka's 2023 season has come to an abrupt end due to a series of injuries, including a ruptured abdominal muscle and a bulging disc in her back. The four-time Grand Slam singles champion announced her withdrawal from the Billie Jean King Cup finals, which were scheduled to be her final tournament of the year.Osaka's injury woes began at the China Open in Beijing, where she retired from her last-16 match against Coco Gauff. Subsequent MRI scans revealed the extent of her injuries, forcing her to withdraw from the Japan Open and the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.The Billie Jean King Cup finals, scheduled for November 13-20 in Malaga, Spain, would have marked Osaka's return to the competition since 2020. She played a pivotal role in Japan's victory over Kazakhstan in April, securing their qualification for the finals.Osaka's withdrawal is a significant blow to the Billie Jean King Cup, as she is one of the most recognizable and successful players in the world. Her absence will undoubtedly weaken Japan's chances of success in the tournament.Osaka's struggles for consistency since returning to tennis in January after the birth of her daughter have been well-documented. Despite reaching two quarter-finals, she has failed to recapture the form that saw her dominate the sport in recent years.The injuries sustained by Osaka are a reminder of the physical demands of professional tennis. The sport requires immense athleticism and resilience, and even the most elite players are susceptible to setbacks.Osaka's decision to prioritize her health and recovery is a wise one. By taking the necessary time to heal, she can ensure her long-term fitness and return to the court stronger than ever.

Lesia Tsurenko, the 34-year-old Ukrainian tennis star, has a deep affinity for Italy that extends beyond its culinary delights. Her connection to the country dates back to her impressive performance in the 2012 Billie Jean King Cup, where she earned both points for Ukraine against Italy.Tsurenko's bond with Italy grew stronger under the guidance of Italian coach Adriano Albanesi, who helped her achieve notable results, including a quarterfinal berth at the 2018 US Open. Amidst the ongoing war in her homeland, Tsurenko has found solace and sanctuary in Italy, where she trains at the Piatti Tennis Center."I enjoy every second," Tsurenko said. "I enjoy my beautiful morning coffee and the view that I have in Liguira, where I live. It's just amazing to have this feeling and be able to relax and calm down."This sense of tranquility aided her in her hard-fought victory over Donna Vekic in the first round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. Despite Vekic's formidable serve, Tsurenko's resilience and determination prevailed in a two-hour, 39-minute battle."I'm so jealous of the serve that Donna has!" Tsurenko exclaimed. "She's serving unbelievably good, and it's so tough because you don't have a rhythm to play against someone like her."Tsurenko's next challenge will be against fellow Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina, who holds a special place in her heart for Italy as the 2023 Rome finalist. Tsurenko hopes to draw inspiration from the tournament's unique atmosphere and the Italian delicacies she has come to love."This tournament, if you look around, you'll see trees and statues, and I think just everything makes this tournament so special," Tsurenko said. "All the players enjoy food, and all of the players enjoy touristic mode because all of the hotels are in the center of the city ... and you can enjoy the time off [from] the tournament."