Slovakia beat Australia 2-0 on Sunday in Malaga to advance to the semi-finals of the BJK Cup tennis tournament.
The Slovaks had not reached the final four of the competition since 2013, when they were beaten by Russia. They will face the Canadian title holders or the British, opponents in the last quarter scheduled for the end of the day.
In the other part of the table, Italy, outgoing finalist led by Jasmine Paolini (4th in the world), will face Poland led by Iga Swiatek (2nd) on Monday.
Falling to the Americans in the first round, the Slovaks dismissed the Australians, finalists in 2019 and 2022, after two diametrically opposed matches. Viktoria Hruncakova, 241st in the world, snatched the first point against Kimberly Birrell, 115th, after 2h30 of play 7-5, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3.
The second singles only lasted an hour. Reduced by a knee injury in the 3rd game, Ajla Tomljanovic (85th) was beaten 6-1, 6-2 by Rebecca Sramkova (43rd).
