Switzerland will appear in the final of the Billie Jean King Cup for the just the second time as they take on four-time champions Russia.
Switzerland took on 2019 runners-up Australia for the second place in tomorrow’s final.
The European nation had only once reached the final of the event before, when an 18-year-old Martina Hingis led them there before falling at the final hurdle as Spain claimed their fifth title.
First up, Cincinnati Open runner-up Jil Teichmann took on world number 131 Storm Sanders.
It did not start well for the Australian, as Teichmann stormed to the first set 6-0 in just 19 minutes. Sander won just three points across the set, and only one on her serve.
Teichmann continued strongly, claiming three more games in a row before Sanders finally got on the board for 3-1 in the second. It was too late though, as the Swiss clinched victory in barely an hour 6-0, 6-3. One win from the final.
Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic then faced world number 43 Ajla Tomljanovic in what turned out to be another one-sided affair.
Any early break put Bencic 3-0 up. Tomljanovic broke back soon after, but could not consolidate as the Swiss claimed another. Bencic then clinched the opener 6-3.
An early break in the second spelled the end for Tomljanovic, Bencic backing it up late on to claim the match 6-3, 6-2 and send her nation through to the final.
Earlier in the day, Russia had overcome the USA in a deciding doubles rubber. Ludmilla Samsonova and Veronika Kudermetova sealed the win against Coco Vandeweghe and Shelby Rogers, 6-3, 6-3.
Russia last won the Billie Jean King Cup in 2008, since finishing runner-up three times in 2011, 2013 and 2015. Meanwhile, Switzerland will be fighting for their maiden triumph at the prestige event.
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