Italy and Slovakia Advance to the Billie Jean King Cup 2024 Finals
November 19, 2024
The 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Finals are drawing to a close in Málaga, Spain, where the world’s top 12 women’s tennis teams have competed for the prestigious title. The event, taking place from November 13-20, is being held at the Martín Carpena Arena.
In the semi-finals, Italy’s Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani triumphed over Poland’s Iga Świątek and Katarzyna Kawa, winning 7-5, 7-5 in the decisive doubles match to secure their spot in the final. Italy will now face Slovakia, who defeated Great Britain 2-1 in the other semi-final.
Earlier in the day, Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti had beaten Poland’s Magda Linette 6-4, 7-6 (3), while Świątek responded for Poland, overcoming Paolini in a thrilling match, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
In the other semi-final, Slovakia suffered a setback in the first match when Emma Raducanu of Great Britain defeated Viktoria Hrunčáková 6-4, 6-4. However, Slovakia made a comeback, with Rebecca Šramková winning 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 against Katie Boulter, and Hrunčáková, alongside Tereza Mihalíková, claiming a dominant 6-2, 6-2 victory in doubles over Britain’s Olivia Nicholls and Heather Watson.
Tournament Structure and Format
The 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Finals feature a distinctive format designed to showcase the best of the world’s leading tennis nations. The 12 teams were divided into four seeded groups, with Canada and Italy, the 2023 finalists, joining Australia and wildcard team Czechia in the quarterfinals. These four teams received byes, while the other eight squads fought for a place in the final eight.
The competition follows a best-of-three format, with two singles matches followed by a doubles decider, if needed. Typically, the second-ranked singles players compete in the first match, followed by the top-ranked players in the second match. The matchups are announced one hour before the start time.
Find the complete tournament results below:
Results
Round 1
Thursday 14 November
Japan 2-1 Romania
Anna Bogdan (ROU) def. Hibino Nao (JPN) 6-2, 6-4
Shibahara Ena (JPN) def. Jaqueline Cristian (ROU) 6-4, 7-6 (2)
Aoyama Shuko/Hozumi Eri (JPN) def. Monica Niculescu/Elena Gabriela Ruse (ROU) 6-1, 7-5
Slovakia 2-1 USA
Taylor Townsend (USA) def. Renata Jamrichova (SVK) 7-5, 6-4
Rebecca Sramkova (SVK) def. Danielle Collins (USA) 6-2, 7-5
Viktoria Hruncakova/Tereza Mihalikova (SVK) def. Ashlyn Krueger/Taylor Townsend (USA) 6-3, 3-6, 10-8
Friday 15 November
Poland 2-0 Spain
Magda Linette (POL) def. Sara Sorribes Toro (ESP) 7-6 (6), 2-6, 6-4
Iga Swiatek (POL) def. Paula Badosa (ESP) 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1
Great Britain 2-0 Germany
Emma Raducanu (GBR) def. Jule Niemeier (GER) 6-4, 6-4
Katie Boulter (GBR) def. Laura Siegemund (GER) 6-1, 6-2
Quarterfinals
Saturday 16 November
Italy 2-1 Japan
Shibahara Ena (JPN) def. Elisabetta Cocciaretto (ITA) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
Jasmine Paolini (ITA) def. Uchijima Moyuka (JPN) 6-3, 6-4
Sara Errani/Jasmine Paolini (ITA) def. Aoyama Shuko/Hozumi Eri (JPN) 6-3, 6-4
Poland 2-1 Czechia
Marie Bouzkova (CZE) def. Magdalena Frech (POL) 6-1, 4-6, 6-4
Iga Swiatek (POL) def. Linda Noskova (CZE) 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-5
Iga Swiatek/Katarzyna Kawa (POL) def. Marie Bouzkova/Katerina Siniakova (CZE) 6-2, 6-4
Sunday 17 November
Slovakia 2-0 Australia
Viktoria Hruncakova (SVK) def. Kimberly Birrell (AUS) 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-3
Rebecca Sramkova (SVK) def. Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) 6-1, 6-2
Canada 0-2 Great Britain
Emma Raducanu (GBR) def. Rebecca Marino (CAN) 6-0, 7-5
Katie Boulter (GBR) def. Leylah Fernandez (CAN) 6-2, 6-4
Semi-finals
Monday 18 November
Italy 2-1 Poland
Lucia Bronzetti (ITA) def. Magda Linette (POL) 6-4, 7-6 (3)
Iga Swiatek (POL) def. Jasmine Paolini (ITA) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
Sara Errani/Jasmine Paolini (ITA) def. Katarzyna Kawa/Iga Swiatek (POL)
Tuesday 19 November
Slovakia 2-1 Great Britain
Emma Raducanu (GBR) def. Viktoria Hruncakova (SVK) 6-4, 6-4
Rebecca Sramkova (SVK) def. Katie Boulter (GBR) def. 2-6, 6-4, 6-4