Ukraine end Italy's dominance at Billie Jean King Cup Finals as Svitolina leads country to first ever final

The reigning champions are out. Italy did not even win a set against a rampant Ukraine team who took them down 2-0 and ended their recent dominance while getting revenge from 12 months ago in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for the first time.

This time last year, Italy and Ukraine clashed in the semi-finals, and it went the way of Italy in a 2-1 result as Jasmine Paolini defeated Elina Svitolina to keep her country's hopes alive.

She was forced into that position once more after Tyra Grant lost her opening singles rubber against Anhelina Kaninina, but the Italian No.1 managed to win just four games as they failed to reach the final for the first time since 2022.

In turn, Svitolina extracted her revenge in Shenzhen, confirming a tantalising final showdown against the Czech Republic.

With no Marta Kostyuk in the lineup, the pressure was on Kalinina to live up to the expectations and get her country in pole position. That is what she did against the young Italian Tyra Grant, winning 6-3, 6-4.

Grant came in for Elisabetta Cocciaretto who lost her singles match against Shuai Zhang while winning just two games. Grant put on a better showing, but the same result occurred. Kalinina sealed the only break in the first set, going on to comfortably win it and get a significant advantage.

With a fourth break point at the start of the second set, the Ukrainian extended her advantage. Grant had one break point to get back into this contest but could not take it, and that was her final chance. Kalinina was not bothered for the rest of the match and got Ukraine off to a perfect start.

This result perfectly set up a blockbuster showdown between Svitolina and Paolini. The reigning champions were under the cosh with their star player hopeful of keeping her nation in the hunt. However, Italy’s title defence would come crashing down as Svitolina battered the two-time Grand Slam finalist 6-2, 6-2.

After losing her opening singles match, Svitolina was on a mission. She raced into a 3-0 lead with a double break before Paolini was able to limit the damage. After closing the score to 3-2, Paolini again faltered as Svitolina won the final three games of the set to confirm a very dominant first-set display.

She began the second set where she left off. She dropped just two points in the opening four games, blasting clear into a 4-0 advantage. Paolini was unable to budge this as the match stayed on serve. That suited the Ukrainian No.1 who confirmed Ukraine's spot in the final without the need for doubles. It is a history-making win for Ukraine, who will battle it out with the Czech Republic for a first-ever title.