Slovenia have reached the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup for the primary time following scorching on the heels of their victory over Australia within the group phases.
Despite their high participant Tamara Zidansek having to retire damage throughout their second singles rubber in opposition to Kazakhstan of their Group B conflict on Friday, the Slovenians had already achieved sufficient to make sure they may play Group D winners Italy within the final 4.
The lowest-ranked of the 12 nations to qualify, Slovenia beat Australia 2-1 of their opening match on Tuesday, setting Alicia Molik’s workforce on the trail to early elimination, although the Aussies did handle to beat Kazakhstan by the identical rating on Thursday.
But Andrej Krasevec’s Slovenian workforce rapidly took the initiative of their decisive group tie in opposition to the Kazakhs when Kaja Juvan thrashed Anna Danilina 6-1 6-0.
Zidansek then took on Yulia Putintseva, realizing one set could be sufficient to make sure their progress to the weekend.
Zidansek duly took the opening set 6-2 earlier than Putintseva hit again to degree the match, at which level Zidansek retired within the information that her nation had achieved sufficient to qualify.
The final semi-final spot will probably be determined in a while Friday with a heavyweight conflict between 11-time champions Czech Republic and 18-time winners the United States.
Canada, who wrapped up their semi-final place with a second successive 3-0 victory on Thursday, await the winners of the Czech v USA tie.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
