Friday in the semifinal Paolini and companions will see it with the Ukrainians who have eliminated Spain. Svitolina and Kostyuk are to be feared
Ukraine will be the opponent of Italy in the Billie Jean King Cup’s Finals semifinal, on stage in Shenzen, China. A great proof of the return of Paula Badosa was not enough for Spain, struggling for some time with many injuries, to beat a team, the Ukrainian one, who could give a lot of thread to be twisted to the girls led by Tathiana Garbin. The Badosa had to yield after a battle that lasted three sets to Elina Svitolina (5-7 6-2 7-5 the score), while in the first game Marta Kostyuk beat Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 7-6 (3) 6-2.
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Italy and Ukraine will clash on Friday at 11 in a duel who promises to be exciting. Both the singular opponents of the blue are very, very good. The Kosttyuk, 23, is number 26 in the world, but for a couple of years he has greatly raised his level of game, and certainly does not start at the Cocciaretto or Bronzetti (we will see the choice of Garbin). Their number one, the Svitolina, needs no introduction: current n.13, ex n.3 of the world, 31 years old, does not come from a particularly brilliant moment due to some physical troubles (at the US Open it has come out immediately) but undoubtedly a very fearful player remains. Among other things, the former Queen of the Foro Italico (he won in Rome in 2017 and 2018), is ahead 2-0 in direct clashes with Jasmine Paolini, and both are dated 2025 (Australian Open and Roland Garros). The semifinal for the reconfirmation of the title, therefore, for Italy, will not be a walk. Tomorrow the other part of the scoreboard also debuts, with the Kazakhstan who will challenge the United States (favorites) and Japan who will see it against Great Britain.