Billie Jean King Cup showdown: Ukraine vs Italy for spot in final
Photo: Ukraine will play Italy for a place in the final (billiejeankingcup.com)
On September 19 in Shenzhen, China, the Ukrainian women's tennis team will play the most important match in its history. In the semifinals of the Billie Jean King Cup (effectively the world championship for national teams), they will face the current title holders, the Italians.
Opponents for Kostyuk
The match will start at 12:00 Kyiv time.
In the first match, the second-ranked players of each team will face off. According to regulations, the final line-ups are announced one hour before the game. But for the Ukrainian team, Marta Kostyuk (WTA No. 26) will almost certainly play.
Regarding the Italians, there are possible options. Kostyuk could face either Lucia Bronzetti (WTA No. 74) or Elisabetta Cocciaretto (WTA No. 91).
Both are considerably below Kostyuk in skill, and the Ukrainian tennis player is expected to win.
Kostyuk has not yet faced Bronzetti on court, while she has beaten Cocciaretto twice (both matches took place in 2023).
Everything depends on Svitolina
Next, the team leaders, Elina Svitolina (WTA No. 13) and Jasmine Paolini (WTA No. 8), will take the court.
Svitolina has played Paolini twice. The matches took place at this year's Grand Slams, were very dramatic, and ended in favor of the Ukrainian.
Both of these matches at the Australian Open and Roland Garros ranked among the top 5 performances by Ukrainian women in this year's Grand Slam tournaments.
Unlike Kostyuk's match, here the opponents' chances are about 50/50. But Svitolina must win. Because if the team match reaches the deciding doubles encounter, the advantage will be on Italy's side.
Few chances in doubles
For Ukraine, the doubles pair will be sisters Lyudmyla and Nadiia Kichenok. For Italy, it will likely be Paolini and the experienced Sara Errani.
The 38-year-old athlete is ranked only 466th in the WTA singles rankings. But in recent years, she has focused entirely on doubles. Together with Paolini, they are ranked 5th in the world doubles rankings. Overcoming this pair will be extremely difficult for the Kichenok sisters.
Thus, the key to Ukraine's success is victories in singles matches.
Earlier, we reported the positions of Ukrainian players in the updated WTA rankings.
