Slovakia beats Britain 2-1 to set up final against Italy in Billie Jean King Cup

By TALES AZZONI The Associated Press
Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova competes against Great Britain's Katie Boulter during a Billie Jean King Cup semi-final match at Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Manu Fernandez]

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Slovakia has rallied to defeat Britain 2-1 and reach its first Billie Jean King Cup final in more than two decades. Viktoria Hruncakova and Tereza Mihalikova defeated Olivia Nicholls and Heather Watson 6-2, 6-2 in the decisive doubles match, putting Slovakia back in the final for the first time since 2002 to face last year’s runner-up Italy on Wednesday. Slovakia forced the deciding match after Rebecca Sramkova rallied to defeat Katie Boulter 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the second singles match. Britain had taken the lead when Emma Raducanu defeated Hruncakova 6-4, 6-4 in the first singles.

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