Britain show title intent with win over holders Canada

MALAGA – Britain have designs on the Billie Jean King Cup after knocking out defending champions Canada as singles wins for Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter completed a 2-0 victory in Malaga on Nov 17.

“I definitely wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe we could win the tournament. We have got a great team. We’ve always got a great chance. We’re going to be in with the last four,” Boulter said.

Britain are one of only four nations – alongside Australia, France and Italy – to have competed in the tournament every season since it was launched in 1963. However, they are the only one of those teams to have never lifted the trophy, losing in four finals.

Former US Open champion Raducanu powered through the first set of the opening rubber against Rebecca Marino and held off the Canadian in the second set to wrap up a 6-0, 7-5 win.

Raducanu saved seven break points as Marino tried to force a third set, eventually earning a break of her own in the 11th game before closing out the match.

“I’m really pleased with how I managed to step up on those big points, big moments,” said the 58th-ranked Raducanu.

“I think I just need to keep reminding myself those clutch situations is where I really kind of thrive, and I really enjoy them for the most part.”

World No. 24 Boulter then brushed aside Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 6-4 to send Britain through to a semi-final against Slovakia.

“I’m really happy with me level today,” said Boulter, who produced another assured display after dropping only three games in her first-round match against Germany’s Laura Siegemund.

“I just want to say, firstly, Emma makes it very easy to come out here and have a swing at 1-0 up, so full credit to her for starting us off well. Really proud of my performance today. I just wanted to come out here and really go at the defending champs.”

Britain will attempt to reach the final for the first time since 1981.

Slovakia, the 2002 champions, overcame Australia 2-0 earlier in the day to make the last four of the competition for the first time in 11 years. Viktoria Hruncakova and Rebecca Sramkova won their singles ties as Slovakia backed up their victory over the United States in the first round.

“It’s another big country which we beat, and I’m so proud for the girls, for our team members, for (our) country, because we are a small country,” said Slovakia captain Matej Liptak.

“For us, it really means so much.”

Hruncakova emerged victorious against Kimberly Birrell 7-5, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3 after over 2½ hours on court to give them the lead over Australia.

Sramkova then needed just 70 minutes to win 6-1, 6-2 against former world No. 32 Ajla Tomljanovic, who injured her knee in the third game of the first set.

“We have nothing to lose. That’s why I think we enjoy it so much. We are doing good, and hopefully we’re going to keep doing that,” said Hruncakova.

On Nov 18, five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek will lead Poland as they take on world No. 4 Jasmine Paolini’s Italy in the other semi-final. The result of that tie was not available at press time. AFP, REUTERS