Czechia beats Ukraine 2-0 to win 12th Billie Jean King Cup title

Czechia won the Billie Jean King Cup on Sunday, September 27, beating Ukraine 2-0 in the final in Shenzhen, China. Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova won both singles matches, so the deciding doubles was not needed.

It is Czechia's 12th title in the women's team competition and its first since 2018, according to the Associated Press, as published by the Lethbridge Herald.

The final

Muchova opened the tie with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Anhelina Kalinina in 70 minutes, Expats.cz reported. "I felt much better than in the previous match. My serve really supported me today," Muchova told Czech Television, according to Expats.cz.

Noskova then clinched the title by beating Elina Svitolina, ranked seventh in the world, 6-3, 7-6 (5) in one hour and 33 minutes.

The AP noted that Noskova and Muchova met in the Wimbledon final in July, when Noskova won her first Grand Slam title.

An unbeaten run

Czechia did not lose a match in Shenzhen. It beat Britain 2-0 in the quarterfinals and Spain 2-0 in the semifinals before sweeping Ukraine in the final, according to Expats.cz.

Ukraine was playing in its first final after knocking out two-time defending champion Italy. The AP reported that Ukraine competed without Marta Kostyuk, ranked 10th, because of a wrist injury.

A record for the captain

Czech captain Barbora Strycova, who won three titles as a player, became only the fourth woman to win the competition as both player and captain, the AP reported. The others are Margaret Court, Chris Evert and Billie Jean King. Expats.cz reported that Strycova won the title in her first year leading the national team.

Why it matters

The title adds to Czechia's long record in the competition. Its 12 titles are second only to the United States, which has won 18. It was delivered by the two players who contested the Wimbledon final in July. For Ukraine, reaching a first final marked the country's best result in the event, even in defeat.

Sources

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.