Billie Jean King Cup LIVE: Great Britain face Slovakia in doubles decider after Katie Boulter defeat
Surprise package Slovakia stand in Great Britain’s way of a first Billie Jean King Cup final since 1981
Great Britain face Slovakia in the last four of the Billie Jean King Cup as Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter look to lead the way to a first final in the women’s team event since 1981.
Raducanu and Boulter have been on top form to defeat Germany and Canada on their way to the semi-finals, setting up a clash with surprise package Slovakia after wins against the USA and Australia.
Under captain Anne Keothavong, Great Britain have been fueled by team spirit and Raducanu has enjoyed her return to the side following a spell on the sidelines due to injury.
With Italy beating Poland in the other semi-final, can Great Britain join them to set up a first Billie Jean King Cup final in over 40 years?
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Emma Raducanu 6-4 5-3 Viktoria Hruncakova* - Break!
Hruncakova goes after the serve and takes the first two points off Raducanu. It was at this point in the first set that the Slovakian began to play her best tennis.
She’s doing so again with a backhand down the line that takes her to 0-40. She’s got three break points now.
Raducanu saves the first one. An ace saves the second one. Hruncakova powers a backhand across court and takes the break!
*Emma Raducanu 6-4 5-2 Viktoria Hruncakova - Break!
A double fault from Hruncakova gifts Raducanu two break points but the Slovakian fizzes down an ace to save the first one. Raducanu secures the break though as her opponent goes too long!
Raducanu will serve for the match.
Emma Raducanu 6-4 4-2 Viktoria Hruncakova*
Oh wow! Raducanu takes the first point of the next game and is then forced onto the defensive. She sprints from side to side before unleashing on a cross court forehand that lands right in the corner.
Hruncakova takes the next point but still trails 15-30.
Emma Raducanu 6-4 4-2 Viktoria Hruncakova*
Raducanu holds! The Brit moves two games ahead in the second set and has a break completed. She’s closing in on winning this match and giving Great Britain the advantage in this semi-final.
Can Hruncakova get back into the set?
*Emma Raducanu 6-4 3-2 Viktoria Hruncakova
Hruncakova turns a backhand into the net and gives Raducanu the chance at closing out the game. She can’t get it done straight away as she clips the tape and brings the game to deuce.
A fine forehand down the line takes her to advantage before a cross court backhand hits the net. Back to deuce.
*Emma Raducanu 6-4 3-2 Viktoria Hruncakova
Now then, can Raducanu hold serve here and complete the break?
She starts off the game with a double fault before following up with an ace to make it 15-15. Raducanu then serves out to the forehand and follows up to the same side of court, Hruncakova is off balance and can’t get in the return.
A backhand from Raducanu then hits the net and there’s nothing to separate the two players again. 30-30.
*Emma Raducanu 6-4 3-2 Viktoria Hruncakova - Break!
A backhand return of serve from Raducanu puts her into the lead against the serve and she doubles the advantage when Hruncavkova goes long.
The Slovakian manages to claw her way back into the game but a backhand slice from Raducanu draws the error and sets up a couple of break points. Can she take one?
Yes! Hruncakova misses out on a smash and Raducanu goes ahead in the set.
Emma Raducanu 6-4 2-2 Viktoria Hruncakova*
That’s good.
A tight game sees the two women trade blows and points up to 30-30 before Emma Raducanu serves an ace down the T and closes out the game with another one.
Lovely serving from the Brit.
*Emma Raducanu 6-4 1-2 Viktoria Hruncakova
Hruncakova is giving herself a pep talk after a couple of errors. That’s a sign that she feels as though she’s now playing well enough to challenge Raducanu.
The Brit slots a lovely return of serve down the line with her forehand and moves within a point of the Slovakian at 40-30.
Hruncakova gets the hold though when Raducanu pings a backhand into the net. She leads in the second set.
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