Noskova and Bouzkova send Czechia into Billie Jean King Cup semifinals

Czechia blanked Britain 2-0 in Shenzhen behind singles wins from Linda Noskova and Marie Bouzkova to reach the Billie Jean King Cup Finals final four.

Czechia advanced to the semifinals of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, China, on Tuesday with a 2-0 victory over Britain in their quarterfinal tie.

World No. 6 Linda Noskova, the reigning Wimbledon champion, closed out the tie by defeating Katie Boulter 6-2, 7-6 (3). She finished the match with an ace on her first match point and totaled 15 aces to Boulter's four. Marie Bouzkova had earlier put Czechia ahead with a 7-6 (2), 4-6, 6-4 win over Sonay Kartal.

The doubles contest, which would have featured Karolina Muchova and top-ranked doubles player Katerina Siniakova, was not needed in the best-of-three format. Muchova lost to Noskova in this year's all-Czech Wimbledon final.

Czechia, an 11-time champion of the competition formerly known as the Fed Cup, will meet either Spain or Kazakhstan in the semifinals. The remaining quarterfinals pit two-time defending champion Italy against China and Ukraine against Belgium. The United States, a record 18-time winner, did not qualify for the finals.

In the Davis Cup Final 8 draw, South Korea was paired with three-time defending champion Italy, while Czechia drew 2022 champion Canada. Spain will face Austria and Germany meets Britain. The Final 8 is set for Bologna, Italy, from Nov. 24-29.