Ukraine make history by dumping Spain out of Billie Jean King Cup to advance to semi-finals

Ukraine made history at the Billie Jean King Cup, defeating five-time champions Spain to advance to the semi-finals for the first time, coming out on top 2-0.

They did the job in a comfortable and commanding manner, not needing to play the following doubles match. Previously, their best result came back in 2010 and 2012, when it was called the Fed Cup. They had made it to the World Group, losing to Italy both times. They are now set up to face them once more as they look to create more headlines in Shenzhen.

The world number 26 Marta Kostyuk was first up for Ukraine, taking on Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. Kostyuk went into the tie as the favourite, but needed to get the job done.

She missed a brace of break points in the opening game, before finding herself 3-1 down early on. She recovered by winning the next three games, including clinching two breaks of serve, but her Spanish opponent levelled at 4-4 moments later.

The tie would then stay on serve up to the tiebreak, where Kostyuk showed her class, winning five of the last six points to take a one-set advantage.

She was under the cosh at the start of set two, with Bouzas Maneiro responding brilliantly from the recent disappointment, but she instantly got back into it, winning four consecutive games to storm into an ominous 4-1 lead. The world number 51 stopped the rot to make it 4-2, but ultimately had no answers, with Kostyuk wrapping up the tie with her first match point, winning 7-6(3), 6-2.

Next up was a highly anticipated match between two former Grand Slam semi-finalists: Elina Svitolina and Paula Badosa. The Spaniard was making her return from another injury setback, which had seen her miss much of the North American hardcourt swing. Svitolina was coming off a frustrating US Open campaign, losing in the first round.

Both players had a point to prove, with Badosa first to take hold of the match. She broke to go 3-2 up, but was instantly pegged back by her opponent. Svitolina would then squander a match point on the Badosa serve, and would regret that with her sweeping the final three games, coming out on top in the first set.

Svitolina replied in menacing fashion, claiming a 3-0 advantage in the second set, before breaking at the end to advance the tie to a third and deciding set. Svitolina was looking to confirm her country's place in the last four, Badosa attempting to force a decider.

In similar circumstances, the Ukrainian romped into a 3-0 lead. It would not all go her way, with Badosa putting the match back on serve. It was destined to go to a tiebreaker to decide the match, but when the former world number two was serving at 5-6, Svitolina pounced and won her second match point to confirm a 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 victory, sending Ukraine through to the semi-finals.