Ukraine Stages Comeback to Secure Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers Spot

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.

Tags: #BillieJeanKingCup, #Ukraine, #Austria, #KatarinaZavatska, #IllyaMarchenko