Canada secured a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in the Billie Jean King Cup semi-finals, sending them to the final for the first time. Gabriela Dabrowski and Leylah Fernandez defeated Katerina Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova in the doubles match to clinch the win. The Czechs had initially taken the lead with Krejcikova’s singles win over Marina Stakusic, but Fernandez’s impressive performance against Marketa Vondrousova turned the tide. The Czech team failed to secure victory in the doubles clash, leading to Canada’s historic advancement to the final.

In another semi-final match, Italy emerged victorious with a 2-0 win over Slovenia. Jasmine Paolini defeated Tamara Zidansek, while Martina Trevisan beat Kaja Juvan. Paolini faced a tough challenge in the second singles match but managed to overcome Zidansek and secure Italy’s spot in the final. Trevisan’s battling victory over Juvan further solidified Italy’s position. This marks Italy’s first semi-final appearance since 2014, and they will be aiming for their fifth crown in the tournament.

Italy’s last triumph in the Billie Jean King Cup came a decade ago, and they will face strong competition from Canada in the title clash. Canada has yet to win the tournament, adding to the anticipation of the final showdown. The stage is set for an exciting match between these two teams.

Overall, it was a thrilling day for Team Canada, with Fernandez expressing her gratitude for the support from the crowd during her singles match. The Italian fans also celebrated their team’s success at the Estadio de la Cartuja. Both teams displayed exceptional skill and determination, setting the stage for an intense final match.

Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; additional reporting Angelica Medina in Mexico City Editing by Ed Osmond