SHENZHEN/WASHINGTON, September 26, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)
Italy and Ukraine faced off in a rematch of their Billie Jean King Finals by Gainbridge semifinal clash from a year ago on Saturday.
There was plenty at stake with the Italians looking to reach the championship final for the fourth consecutive year and ninth time overall. Meanwhile, Ukraine was bidding to reach the final for the first time after losing to the Italians 2-1 last year.
The Ukrainians’ semifinal finish in 2025 represented their best performance to date in the yearly team competition – and team captain– Czech team captain Illya Marchenko, no doubt, was thrilled that his team had returned to this stage, again, this year. But they would have to beat mighty Italy to reach the final.
Italy and Ukraine run it back. This is going to be next level 🔥#BJKCup pic.twitter.com/u4MZxtlu6A
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) September 26, 2026
As it happened, Ukraine pulled off the upset of the week. Not only did they finally defeat Italy, they won by shutout 2-0 – and made history in advancing to their first BJK Cup final.
Ukraine became the 18th nation to reach the Billie Jean King Cup final and the third first-time finalist since the introduction of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in 2021, after 2021 runners-up Switzerland and 2023 champions Canada.
Italy came in with an eight-tie Billie Jean King Cup winning streak – undefeated since they fell to Canada in the 2023 final. Now, that streak has ended.
“I feel very, very proud of them because every time they give everything they could,” Italy team captain Tathiana Garbin said during her team’s news conference afterward. “I’m happy for what we have done all these years.”
Next, Ukraine will face Czechia, a 2-0 semifinal winner over Spain, in Sunday’s championship final.
Anhelina Kalinina is on FIRE 🔥 🇺🇦 #BJKCup pic.twitter.com/FrFgRtTGFh
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) September 26, 2026
“Of course, we are really very proud. I am very proud of my team,” Marchenko said during his team’s news conference. “Obviously it was great day for us, almost perfect day. We are really happy to get that revenge. We are really happy to be in the finals for the first time in our history.”
As it happened, Ukraine’s 47th-ranked Anhelina Kalinina came out and played determined tennis. She beat No. 149 Tyra Grant, 6-3, 6-4, in 85 minutes. Kalinina won 76 percent (31 of 41) of her first-serve points and backed it by garnering 72 percent (13 of 18) of her second-serve points. She broke Grant’s serve two times in seven tries and her reserve, too. The Ukrainian No. 2 outpointed Grant 67-54.
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Then, upset after losing her opening match to Belgium’s Greet Minnen on Thursday during Ukraine’s 2-1 victory over the Belgians, World No. 7 Elina Svitolina came out and went to work against World No. 20 Jasmine Paolini. She broke the Italian No. 1’s serve three times in five tries and won the opening set 6-2.
Ukraine came for revenge and they’re one set away from getting it 🤯
Elina Svitolina takes the first set 6-2 against Jasmine Paolini…#BJKCup pic.twitter.com/O5RFeLaxE8
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) September 26, 2026
Next, Svitolina broke Paolini’s serve to open the second set, winning the first game with a leaping overhead volley winner at the net that would have made her husband, France’s acrobatic Gaël Monfils, proud. Then, she consolidated the break for a 2-0 lead. Svitolina seemed to have all the answers and was ready to put up a fight against all odds.
UKRAINE MAKE HISTORY 🇺🇦 💪
Elina Svitolina’s straight sets win over Jasmine Paolini takes Ukraine to the #BJKCup Final for the first time 🥹 pic.twitter.com/fYRZujOzwR
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) September 26, 2026
Soon, Svitolina found herself ahead 3-0 after breaking Paolini’s serve for a fifth time with her 14th winner of the match. She consolidated the break for a commanding 4-0 lead before Paolini finally held serve. Sitting at her bench during the next changeover, the diminutive Italian covered her head with her towel and remained quiet. There wasn’t much Garbin could say that would change the direction of the match. ‘
“It was tough, the match,” Paolini would say afterward. “But I think it’s been a good tournament for us. It’s not always possible to win.”
Svitolina held serve for a 5-1 lead and it was up to Paolini to hold or go home. She held serve during a 12-point tussle, but it gave Svitolina the opportunity to serve out the victory as the match reached the one-hour mark.
Svitolina won on her first match-point opportunity with a seventh-shot forehand winner for a 6-2, 6-2 final score. It was over in just one hour and three minutes – and it left Paolini disappointed, while Svitolina and her teammates jumped for joy.
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After rallying to beat China 2-1 in their quarterfinal tie Thursday, there would be no comeback for Italy – no chance to get the tie to doubles, where Paolini and Sara Errani could work some magic. Instead, Svitolina gave a near-perfect performance – she was so pumped up – and stepped up her game when it mattered most.
Svitolina won 81 percent (17 of 21) of her first-serve points and backed it by winning 72 percent (13 of 18) of her points on her second serve. She converted five of seven break points, was broken just once by Paolini and outpointed her 58-31.
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During her on-court interview, Svitolina summed up her feelings in one word: “Unbelievable.” She added: “I was trying to stay really focused. It was a really tough loss for me here last year, so I knew I had to stay focused and really step up my game.
“With all the support of the Ukrainian fans, it was unbelievable. Just a really special moment for us, for Ukraine. We’re going through some tough times back home. It’s unbelievable to be in the final for the first time.”
Marchenko added: “It’s a credit to the girls; they played fantastic. We’re really happy.”
Anhelina Kalinina, you’re a #BJKCup Finalist! 🥹🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/oN0JlVFmLg
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) September 26, 2026
Prior to last year, Ukraine’s best Billie Jean King Cup performance was in reaching the quarterfinals. They had been in last eight of the competition by contesting the World Group on two occasions – in 2010 and 2012. They lost to Italy in the first round on both occasions. Now, they’ve finally overcome their BJK Cup nemesis. Anything seems possible.
“I’m very happy that we passed Italy and now we’re in the finals. Such an historical moment for Ukraine,” Svitolina said during her team’s news conference.
“Just really happy and proud of the team. Looking forward for tomorrow.”
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By the numbers
Ukraine is the 18th nation to reach the Billie Jean King Cup final. They are the third first-time finalists since the introduction of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in 2021 – after 2021 runners- up Switzerland and 2023 champions Canada.
“Quotable …”
“It was a special one because I knew before we were playing against United States that it’s going to be my last match in Billie Jean King Cup. I was retiring after that.
“It was extra special because I was playing the opening match for, like, three hours against [Sofia] Kenin. I won that match in front of full crowd, like 13,000 people. I think the memories are staying with me forever. Sometimes when I go to see a concert in this arena, I’m just thinking about the moments I had there.
“It would be something very, very special if we could pull it through on Sunday, that I could win it again … from a different position.”
– Czech team captain Barbora Strykova, who was a member of Czechia’s 2018 BJK Cup championship team. She described her feelings of that occasion following her team’s 2-0 semifinal victory over Spain on Friday.
