Italy, Canada qualify for Billie Jean King Cup semifinals

SEVILLE, Spain: Italy and Canada booked their tickets to the semifinals of the Billie Jean King Cup on Thursday with 3-0 wins over Germany and Poland respectively as defending champions Switzerland crashed out.

Leylah Fernandez eased past Poland’s Magda Linette 6-2, 6-3 in Seville to seal Canada’s berth after Marina Stakusic battled past Magdalena Frech 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in the opening Group C rubber.

Canada’s win, capped by a doubles victory for Eugenie Bouchard and Gabriela Dabrowski, left hosts Spain with no chance of advancing to the final four of the tournament they have won five times.

Spain lost to the Canadians 3-0 on Wednesday.

The hosts take on Poland on Friday but with no chance of progressing, with only the group winner advancing.

Switzerland, who won their only title last year, were also eliminated, falling 3-0 to the US a day after having lost by the same scoreline to the Czech Republic.

Danielle Collins and Sofia Kenin led Team USA in the singles, with the record 18-time champions playing on Friday for top spot in Group A and the semifinal berth against the Czechs.

Earlier four-time winners Italy beat Germany to eliminate Group D rivals France.

Martina Trevisan battled past Eva Lys 7-6 (8/6), 6-1 in the opening rubber before Jasmine Paolini eased past Anna-Lena Friedsam 6-3, 6-2 to ensure the Italians return to the last four for the first time since 2014.

Debutant Lucia Bronzetti and Elisabetta Cocciaretto completed the Italian rout with a win over Friedsam and Laura Siegemund in the doubles.

Italy, who beat France 2-1 on Wednesday, finish top of the three-team group.

Australia, runners-up in the 2022 final to Switzerland, beat Kazakhstan 2-1 to notch up their first win of the tournament after