Ukraine strikes first: Kostyuk delivers key point vs Italy in Billie Jean King Cup
Photo: Marta Kostyuk (Getty Images)
Marta Kostyuk earned the first point for Ukraine in the Billie Jean King Cup semifinal match against Italy, according to the tournament results.
Billie Jean King Cup, semifinal
Ukraine-Italy 1-0
Marta Kostyuk vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6:2, 6:3
How it went
The Ukrainian immediately showed who was in charge on the court by winning the very first game on her opponent's serve. Then she made a second break and took the lead 4-1. In the seventh game, also on the return, she had two set points but lost them. However, she finished the set on her own serve 6-2.
The second set was more difficult. Both players held their serves until the fifth game, when the Ukrainian broke the tradition. After making a break and not conceding a single serve to her opponent, she closed out the set and the match in victory.
What's next
Ukraine took the lead over Italy, 1-0.
Next, the team leaders will take the court. World No. 13 Elina Svitolina will play against world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini. The match is scheduled to start at 2:15 PMKyiv time.
A victory for Svitolina will send Ukraine to the final. If the Italian wins, everything will be decided in the doubles match, where Ukraine is represented by sisters Lyudmyla and Nadiia Kichenok, and Italy by Paolini and Sara Errani.
