Best doubles of our lives' puts Slovakia into final

Slovakia swept past Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup semi-final doubles decider on Nov 19 to seal a 2-1 victory and set up a title showdown with Italy.

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Viktoria Hruncakova and Tereza Mihalikova saw off British duo Olivia Nicholls and Heather Watson 6-2, 6-2 in the decisive rubber. Slovakia face 2023 runners-up Italy in the final on Nov 20.

"I cried like a baby but now I'm very calm and ready for tomorrow," said an emotional Mihalikova. "We need one more win, then we can touch the trophy."

Emma Raducanu, who won the US Open in 2021, won the opening singles tie 6-4, 6-4 against Hruncakova to keep four-time runners-up Britain's hopes of a first final in 43 years alive.

But Rebecca Sramkova's comeback from a set down to beat British No.1 Katie Boulter 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 forced a decisive doubles rubber.

Hruncakova said: "Emma played absolutely amazing, so I did not feel bad after the match.

"And I was very hopeful that Rebecca could make a point for us and that we can play a deciding doubles. And that happened.