The China Mail - Svitolina seals Ukraine berth in BJK Cup Finals with Britain, Spain advancing

The three countries join hosts China, defending champions Italy and Kazakhstan in the eight-team Finals in Shenzhen from September 16-21.

Svitolina beat Jil Teichmann 6-4, 6-2 in Radom, Poland to level the tie 1-1, ensuring Ukraine will finish top of Group E.

Celine Naef had earlier upset Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 7-6 (7/1) to keep Swiss hopes alive two days after their 3-0 loss to hosts Poland.

But Svitolina's victory was enough even before Nadiia Kichenok and Katarina Zavatska's marathon 6-3, 3-6, 10-5 doubles win over a battling Naef and Susan Bandecchi.

"It means a lot to all the team," said Svitolina.

"I'm very proud of all the team to bring us to the Finals. We've been waiting so long for this moment. I knew I had to win to bring us to the Finals, I was trying to focus on one point, one game, at a time.

"I'm very happy with my level and how I held my nerves. The crowd were incredible. It felt like we were playing at home in Ukraine."

In the Hague, Britain beat hosts the Netherlands 2-1 to top Group F, with Spain ending Czech Republic hopes at home 2-1 in Group B in Ostrava.

British number one Katie Boulter lost her singles tie but teamed up with Jodie Burrage in the doubles to beat Demi Schuurs and Suzan Lamens 6-2, 6-2 on clay.

Boulter had earlier lost 6-4, 6-3 to Lamens, while Sonay Kartal won 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 against Eva Vedder as Britain followed up their win over Germany by the same scoreline on Friday.

In Ostrava, Jessica Bouzas Maneiro sealed the winning point for Spain, sweeping past Linda Noskova 6-4, 6-2, with Cristina Bucsa earlier defeating Marie Bouzkova, 7-5, 6-1.

On Friday, Bucsa had teamed up with Sara Sorribes Tormo in the doubles to defeat Brazil 3-0.

- USA and Japan on track -

The United States beat Denmark 3-0 in Bratislava in Group C which concludes on Sunday when the Americans face Slovakia.

Bernarda Pera eased past Johanne Svendsen 6-3, 6-1 to give the USA an unassailable 2-0 lead after Hailey Baptiste earlier won against Rebecca Munk Mortensen 6-1, 6-4.

Desirae Krawczyk and Asia Muhammad won the doubles in straight sets 6-4, 6-1.

In Tokyo, Japan made a winning start in their bid to reach the finals, crushing Romania 3-0 with singles wins for Ena Shibahara and Moyuka Uchijima over Miriam Bulgaru and Anca Todoni respectively.

Japan face Canada on Sunday with the winner progressing to September's showpiece in Shenzhen.

The current BJK Cup qualifiers feature six groups of three nations as the finals transition from a 12-team tournament to an eight-team set-up.

Australia swept past Colombia 3-0 to end their bid to make the finals on a winning note, but it was in vain after Kazakhstan had already qualified from their Group D.

The Elena Rybakina-led Kazakhstan had already beaten Australia and Colombia to make the eight-team finals.

While Australia and Colombia were consigned to the play-offs in November to determine who will be in the 2026 qualifiers, Saturday's clash had ramifications.

The winner received extra ranking points, which will impact seeding order in the play-offs.

J.Thompson--ThChM