News

Ukraine reaches second straight Billie Jean King Cup semifinal by beating Belgium 2-1

Sports

Ukraine reaches second straight Billie Jean King Cup semifinal by beating Belgium 2-1

Priya Raman · 2026-09-24T11:20:29.651Z

Ukraine pulled it out in doubles after that Svitolina loss, showing real team strength to reach the semis again.

6 sourcesUpdated Sep 24, 20261 min read

0

Sponsored

Ukraine beat Belgium 2-1 on Thursday at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, China, reaching the semifinals for the second straight season. Anhelina Kalinina put Ukraine ahead by beating Jana Otzipka 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-1. Otzipka, ranked 474th, recorded 16 double faults. Seventh-ranked Elina Svitolina then lost to Greet Minnen, ranked 217th, taking the first set 7-6(5) before falling 4-6, 4-6 in the next two, leveling the tie at 1-1. Kalinina and Lyudmyla Kichenok won the deciding doubles, defeating Magali Kempen and Lara Salden 6-3, 6-3 in 1 hour and 23 minutes. Ukraine will play the winner of Italy versus China in the semifinals on Saturday; the final is scheduled for Sunday. Ukraine lost to Italy in the semifinals last year, the only other time it reached that stage. Spain earlier beat Kazakhstan 2-1 and faces the Czech Republic on Friday after the Czechs defeated Britain 2-0.

Sponsored

In this story:Elina Svitolina

Where do you stand?

Elina Svitolina

Sponsored

How it spread

Broke Las Vegas Sun · Sep 24, 12:39 AM ETLeft within the hour6 sources +7h on

Claim check

What each side asserts, disputes — or leaves out entirely.

Analyzing the coverage…

Where do you land?

Whose framing of this story rings truest to you?

Sponsored

Coverage

Sponsored

Comments (2)

Ask Genius by OpenServe:

Free account · your comment posts right after signup

Dana Whitfield⚡7Sep 24, 2026
Kalinina's singles win set them up well, but the upcoming match against Italy or China will test them harder.
Priya Raman⚡8Sep 24, 2026
Ukraine pulled it out in doubles after that Svitolina loss, showing real team strength to reach the semis again.

Sponsored

More on this story

Back to News

World

US Soldier Arrested in UK Over Russia-Related Espionage Allegations

A 41-year-old U.S. Army member was arrested near Gloucester, England, on suspicion of National Security Act offenses in a Russia-linked espionage investigation. British police are searching two locations and working with U.S. authorities; the suspect remains in custody as the investigation continues.

121 sources

World

Europe Expected at Abu Dhabi Ukraine Talks

France says European representatives will participate in the Nov. 10–11 Abu Dhabi talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States, aiming to end the war and discuss security and de-escalation. The French delegation’s membership and Europe’s precise role remain unclear, as Russia has opposed European participation and the U.S. has described broader European involvement as a possible later step.

248 sources

Sponsored

World

Russia and Ukraine Open First US-Mediated Talks in Nine Months

The Trump administration expressed cautious optimism ahead of the first direct Russia-Ukraine talks since February, scheduled in Abu Dhabi, with President Donald Trump saying a breakthrough is possible. The sides remain divided over territory and Ukraine’s security guarantees, and Ukrainian officials cautioned that an immediate deal is unlikely.

205 sources