Svitolina seals Ukraine berth in BJK Cup Finals with Britain, Spain advancing

Elina Svitolina sealed Ukraine’s berth in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for the first time with a 2-1 win over Switzerland, as Britain and Spain also advanced on Saturday.

The three countries join hosts China, defending champions Italy and Kazakhstan in the eight-team Finals in Shenzhen from September 16-21.

Svitolina beat Jil Teichmann 6-4, 6-2 in Radom, Poland to level the tie 1-1, ensuring Ukraine will finish top of Group E.

Celine Naef had earlier upset Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 7-6 (7/1) to keep Swiss hopes alive two days after their 3-0 loss to hosts Poland.

But Svitolina’s victory was enough even before Nadiia Kichenok and Katarina Zavatska’s marathon 6-3, 3-6, 10-5 doubles win over a battling Naef and Susan Bandecchi.