Ukraine Into First BJK Cup Final After Sweeping Italy

History Made in Shenzhen

Ukraine have reached the Billie Jean King Cup Final for the first time in their history, sweeping two-time defending champions Italy 2–0 in the semi-finals at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre on Saturday. The manner of the win was as emphatic as the scoreline: Anhelina Kalinina and Elina Svitolina each won in straight sets without ever truly being threatened, and Italy's reign as back-to-back champions came to an abrupt and painful end.

Italy had won the BJK Cup in 2024 and 2025, establishing themselves as the dominant force in women's team tennis. Jasmine Paolini, the squad's standout player and a two-time Grand Slam finalist, was expected to be the decisive factor in a competitive semi-final. Instead, Ukraine were the more composed, more clinical side from the very first ball, winning every rubber and every set without once being made to play a tiebreak.

Kalinina Silences Italy in the Opener

Anhelina Kalinina played with remarkable authority against Italy's Grant in the first rubber, winning 6–3, 6–4 in 85 minutes. Kalinina pressed high on the baseline throughout, taking the ball early and reducing Grant's time to construct points. Her cross-court forehand was particularly effective — deep, heavy and with precise targeting that kept the Italian pinned wide. Grant fought back at 3–3 in the second set, breaking to briefly level the score, but Kalinina responded without a hint of alarm: she reeled off three consecutive games to close out the rubber and hand Ukraine the opening advantage.

Kalinina had not dropped a set in any of her matches across this year's Finals in Shenzhen. She was not going to start now, in the most important match of Ukraine's week.

Svitolina Clinches a Dominant Win

What Kalinina began, Elina Svitolina finished — and finished in emphatic style. The Ukraine captain defeated Jasmine Paolini 6–2, 6–2 in a display that was exceptional by any standard. Svitolina's first-serve percentage was high throughout, her returns were aggressive and well-targeted, and she gave Paolini almost no opportunity to settle into the kind of flowing baseline game that defines her best tennis. The second set followed an identical pattern to the first: Paolini found a brief moment of resistance around the middle games, only for Svitolina to push through with clinical power.

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For Paolini — one of the most influential players in women's tennis over the past two seasons and Italy's talisman — it was a chastening afternoon. The 6–2, 6–2 scoreline was a fair and accurate reflection of the match. She was never truly ahead and was forced into a defensive posture for much of the contest.

Sunday's Final Against Czechia

Ukraine will face the Czech Republic in Sunday's final at the same venue. Czechia reached the championship match on Friday with a 2–0 semi-final win over Spain, with Linda Noskova and Karolína Muchová both winning in straight sets. Czechia are experienced finalists and carry strong momentum from a composed Friday performance.

For Ukraine, Sunday is entirely uncharted territory — but territory they have earned convincingly. Having knocked out Belgium in the quarter-finals and now swept the defending champions in the last four, Svitolina's squad will compete for the BJK Cup for the very first time in their history. The final is scheduled for Sunday, 27 September at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre. Czechia have experience; Ukraine have the form of the tournament.