Billie Jean King Cup LIVE: Great Britain lose doubles decider against Slovakia in semi-final
Surprise package Slovakia ended Great Britain’s hopes of a first Billie Jean King Cup final since 1981
Great Britain were knocked out of the Billie Jean King Cup at the semi-final stage by a resilient Slovakia who came from a point down to triumph in Malaga and set up a clash with Italy in the final.
Britain stuck with the gameplan that brought them success in the week with Emma Raducanu leading off against Viktoria Hruncakova. The British No. 2 was in fabulous form and won an early break on her way to a 6-4 6-4 straight set victory.
In the second singles match Katie Boulter looked to be sending Britain to their first BJK Cup final since 1981 when she took the opening set against Rebecca Sramkova but there was a twist to come. Sramkova overturned the set deficit and stormed to a well fought 6-2 4-6 4-6 victory leaving the tie in the balance.
A deciding doubles match saw Heather Watson and Olivia Nicholls take to the court for the first time this week but they were outclassed by the Slovakian duo of Hrancakova and Tereza Mihalikova who took a 6-2 6-2 win to advance to the next stage.
Relive the latest updates with our live blog below:
Watson/Nicholls 0-0 Hruncakova/Mihalikova
Here we go then in the doubles decider!
Heather Watson will serve first for the British pair!
Great Britain vs Slovakia doubles decider
And here come the players. It all comes down to this Nicholls & Watson for GB against Hruncakova and Mihalikova for Slovakia.
Slovakia win the toss and elect to receive. We’ll have the warm-ups and then play will get underway to decide who reaches the BJK Cup final.
Reaction from Rebecca Sramkova after beating Katie Boulter:
“It didn’t start in the best way for me, she was serving and returning amazing in the first set. It was tough for me to play how I wanted.
“I was trying to push her more but it was impossible in the first set. I’m happy I was pushing more in the second and third set and we got a point.”
GB vs Slovakia doubles decider
It all comes down to a doubles decider between GB and Slovakia to decide who will face Italy in the Billie Jean King Cup final.
Olivia Nicholls and Heather Watson will represent Great Britain, having not been needed so far this week, and they will face Slovakia’s Viktoria Hruncakova and Tereza Mihalikova. Hruncakova lost to Emma Raducanu in the singles earlier of course.
If Nicholls and Watson win, they’ll take Britain to the final for the first time since 1981 but lose and GB are out.
The players are scheduled on court at 3.55pm GMT, so not long to wait for that one to start.
Emma Raducanu puts Great Britain one win away from Billie Jean King Cup final
Emma Raducanu made it a hat-trick of wins in Malaga to put Great Britain one victory away from the Billie Jean King Cup final.
The 22-year-old is yet to drop a set and followed up her successes against Jule Niemeier and Rebecca Marino by overcoming Slovakia’s Viktoria Hruncakova 6-4 6-4.
Raducanu was a big favourite on paper against the world number 238 and she could not find the same fluency in a nervy encounter, but she did enough to clinch a priceless point.
Emma Raducanu puts Great Britain one win away from Billie Jean King Cup final
The 22-year-old defeated Slovakia’s Viktoria Hruncakova 6-4 6-4.
Great Britain vs Slovakia heads to doubles decider
A doubles match will decide which of these teams reaches the Billie Jean King Cup final after Emma Raducanu’s win was cancelled out by Rebecca Sramkova.
It’ll be the first time this week that Britain have needed a doubles match to decide a contest so it’ll be interesting to see how they hold up.
The match is due to start at 3.55pm.
Rebecca Sramkova fights back to beat Katie Boulter
Rebecca Sramkova fights back to beat Katie Boulter
Slovakia draw level at 1-1 in this semi-final and now take the encounter to a doubles decider. Rebecca Sramkova was incredible. She faced massive pressure at one set down against Boulter but had enough in the tank to get through.
*Katie Boulter 6-2 4-6 4-6 Rebecca Sramkova - Game, set and match!
The pressure is back on Katie Boulter who can’t afford to lose this game. She must hold to keep the match going.
She starts with an ace of her own which is only her fourth of the match. Boulter then misses out on a backhand down the line to bring the game level at 15-15.
Sramkova then claims the next two points to set up two match points. Boulter saves the first one with a fine smash volley but the pressure is still there.
The Brit then misses a backhand down the line and Sramkova wins the match!
*Katie Boulter 6-2 4-6 4-5 Rebecca Sramkova
Neither player wants to take the risk of a winner and as such the margins are very tight. Boulter clips the tape in the next rally with the ball bouncing back onto her side of court.
Sramkova then flings down an ace to hold serve. Advantage Slovakia.
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