Spain Reaches Billie Jean King Cup Semifinals With Doubles Win Over Kazakhstan
The short version
- Spain beat Kazakhstan 2-1 in Shenzhen to reach its first Billie Jean King Cup semifinal in 18 years.
- Bucsa and Sorribes Tormo won the decisive doubles 6-2, 7-5, saving 18 of 20 break points.
- Spain faces Czechia in Friday's semifinal.
- Thursday's quarterfinals: Italy vs. China and Ukraine vs. Belgium.
An 18-year semifinal drought ended in Shenzhen as Spain edged Kazakhstan 2-1 and set up a Friday meeting with Czechia.
Spain reached the Billie Jean King Cup semifinals on Wednesday in Shenzhen, China, doing so for the first time in 18 years after a 2-1 victory over Kazakhstan that came down to the doubles rubber. The Spanish pair of Cristina Bucsa and Sara Sorribes Tormo defeated Anna Danilina and Zhibek Kulambayeva 6-2, 7-5, fending off 18 of the 20 break points held by their opponents.
Singles play split the tie beforehand. Jessica Bouzas Maneiro put Spain in front with a 6-2, 6-2 defeat of Sonja Zhiyenbayeva, before Yulia Putintseva evened things for Kazakhstan by beating Bucsa 6-2, 3-6, 6-1.
Next up for Spain is a Friday semifinal against Czechia, the nation formerly called the Czech Republic, whose squad in Shenzhen includes Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova and Marie Bouzková. The Czechs defeated Britain 2-0 on Tuesday and remain in pursuit of a 12th crown in the event once known as the Fed Cup.
Spain has lifted the trophy five times, all during the 1990s, and its most recent appearance in a final came in 2008. The United States holds the record with 18 titles but did not make this year's finals.
Thursday's schedule features the remaining quarterfinals: two-time defending champion Italy takes on China, while Ukraine meets Belgium.
