Canada, Italy reach Billie Jean King Cup semis; Kenin leads USA to opening win

Canad and Italy booked their places in the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup on Thursday while Sofia Kenin starred as the US won their opening match.

Teenager Mariana Stakusic was the hero for Canada as they secured an unbeatable 2-0 lead over Poland to top group C with two wins out of two. The 18-year-old Stakusic, who beat Rebeka Masarova on Wednesday, battled to a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over Magdalena Frech, before Leylah Fernandez breezed past Magda Linette 6-2, 6-3 to complete the win.

It’s just the second time the Canadians have ever made the last four, having done it in 1988.

Italy followed up their win over France on day one by beating Germany 3-0 to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2014.

Martina Trevisan and Jasmine Paolini won their singles matches for the second day in a row; Trevisan seeiung off Eva Lys to 7-6, 6-1 and Paolini easing past Anna-Lena Friedsam 6-3, 6-1.

Kenin secures US win over Swiss

Former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, who has enjoyed a comeback year on the WTA Tour after two difficult years in the wilderness, ensured the USA won their opening match, beating last year’s champions Switzerland 2-0.

Kenin was pushed all the way by Viktoriya Golubic, though, needing three hours before clinching a 6-3, 6-7 (1), 7-5 win. With Danielle Collins beating Celine Naef 7-6 (4), 6-1 in the first match, the victory gave US an unassailable 2-0 lead.

The USA will take on Czechia on Friday, with the winners going through to the last four, where they will play Canada.

Kazakhs still alive despite loss to Australia

Kazakhstan can still qualify for the semi-finals despite losing 2-1 to Australia in their first match on Thursday.

Storm Hunter beat beating Anna Dalinina 7-6, 6-4 and though Yulia Putintseva levelled it with a 6-0, 7-5 win over Kimberly Birrell, Hunter and Perez edged out Putintseva and Danilina 6-1 4-6, 10-5 to give the Aussies the win.

But despite the result, Kazakhstan take on Slovenia on Friday with the winner going through to the semi-finals, with a clash against Italy the reward.

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