World number two Iga Swiatek reeled off back-to-back victories to lead Poland to their first Billie Jean King Cup semi-final with a comeback win over the Czech Republic.
After Czech Marie Bouzkova won her opening singles match against Magdalena Frech, it was up to Swiatek to keep Poland’s hopes alive.
The five-time Grand Slam winner first beat Czech teenager Linda Noskova, who eliminated her from the Australian Open in January, 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 7-5 in a match which lasted two hours and 39 minutes.
Swiatek then returned to the court with Katarzyna Kawa for a rare doubles encounter, the duo sealing a 6-1 6-4 victory over Katerina Siniakova and Bouzkova to book a place in the semi-finals.
“In 20 minutes I’ll be dead,” Swiatek later joked.
“It was a tiring day, but everything worked out. We did a great job, we won.”
Paolini’s Italy beats Japan
Italy await Poland in the semi-finals after Jasmine Paolini helped her team to victory over Japan, winning both her singles and doubles matches.
Seeking their first semi-final berth at this event since 1966, Japan took the lead in the best-of-three when Ena Shibahara staged a comeback to defeat Elisabetta Cocciaretto 3-6 6-4 6-4 in the match opening in singles.
But Paolini, world number four, leveled the tie, quickly beating 56th-ranked Moyuka Uchijima 6-3 6-4 to force a doubles decision.
Paolini, a French Open and Wimbledon finalist, then teamed up with Sara Errani, three months after winning Olympic gold together, to beat Japan’s Shuko Aoyama and Eri Hozumi 6-3 6-4.
Italy are four-time BJK Cup champions, but lost to Canada in the final of last year’s tournament.
