SHENZHEN, China — Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova won in straight sets as Czechia defeated Ukraine 2–0 in Sunday’s Billie Jean King Cup final, claiming the country’s 12th championship and first since 2018.
Muchova beat Anhelina Kalinina 6–2, 6–3 before Noskova closed the tie with a 6–3, 7–6 (5) victory over Elina Svitolina. The result meant the final was decided without a doubles match.
The championship also gave Barbora Strycova a title in her first season as Czech captain. A six-time winner as a player, she became the fourth woman to win the competition in both roles, joining Margaret Court, Chris Evert and Billie Jean King, according to Roland-Garros’ report.
Muchova established control early against Kalinina, breaking twice in the opening set. Her serving left the Ukrainian with few opportunities to recover, and she completed the victory with a forehand winner.
Noskova faced a more difficult opening against Svitolina, who moved ahead 3–1. The Czech responded by taking the next five games to win the set and put Ukraine one set from defeat.
Neither player faced a break point in the second set, sending it to a tiebreak. Svitolina saved two championship points, but Noskova converted the third and was quickly joined on court by her celebrating teammates.
The title brought Noskova and Muchova together on the winning side after they had faced each other in this year’s Wimbledon final. Noskova won that match, but both supplied the singles victories Czechia needed in Shenzhen.
Czechia finished the week without requiring a deciding doubles rubber, having also beaten Great Britain and Spain through singles wins. The country has now won 12 of its 13 appearances in the final.
Ukraine’s defeat ended a historic run rather than an expected title defence. After reaching the semifinals in 2025, the team advanced a round further this year by beating Belgium and then eliminating two-time defending champion Italy.
Svitolina and her teammates will leave with their country’s first runner-up finish, while Czechia returns to the top of a competition it dominated through much of the previous decade.
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This page is an original Sporting Page summary. The reporting remains with WTA final report.
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