Kalinina Does Double Duty as Ukraine Returns to the Semifinals

Anhelina Kalinina had to work twice to send Ukraine back to the Billie Jean King Cup semifinals. Jana Otzipka took the opening set of their first singles match in a tiebreak, but Kalinina completely reversed the match from there, winning 6-7, 6-1, 6-1 to put Ukraine ahead. Belgium answered right back. Greet Minnen lost a first-set tiebreak to Elina Svitolina before turning their match around herself, taking the next two sets 6-4, 6-4 to level the quarterfinal and force a deciding doubles match.

Kalinina came straight back alongside Lyudmyla Kichenok, and this time Ukraine never had to recover from behind. The Ukrainian pair beat Magali Kempen and Lara Salden 6-3, 6-3 to complete the 2-1 victory, with Kalinina finishing the night responsible for both Ukrainian points. It sends Ukraine into the semifinals for the second consecutive year after the country reached this stage for the first time in 2025. Ukraine now waits for the winner of China-Italy in Saturday’s semifinal.