Slovakia beat Australia to reach BJK Cup semi-finals

MALAGA Spain: Slovakia overcame Australia 2-0 on Sunday to reach the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup.

The country of 5.4 million, which beat the United States in the first round, is into the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since 2013.

Viktoria Hruncakova and Rebecca Sramkova both won their singles ties to give Slovakia an unassailable lead.

“It´s another big country which we beat, and I´m so proud for the girls, for our team members, for (our) country, because we are a small country,” said Slovakia captain Matej Liptak.

“For us, it really means so much.” World number 241 Hruncakova emerged victorious against Kimberly Birrell 7-5, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 after over two-and-a-half hours on court to give the central European country the lead over Australia.

Sramkova then needed just over an hour to win 6-1, 6-2 against former world number 32 Ajla Tomljanovic, who injured her knee in the third game of the first set.

Later on Sunday, Britain will play holders Canada with the winners set to face Slovakia in the semi-finals.

“I think all of us are looking forward to playing these amazing players,” said Hruncakova.

“We have nothing to lose. That´s why I think we enjoy it so much. We are doing good, and hopefully we´re gonna keep doing that.”

On Monday, five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek will lead Poland as they take on world number four Jasmine Paolini´s Italy in the other semi-final.