Siniakova beats Gauff as Czechs set up semi-final with Switzerland at BJK Cup

The Czechs will take on Switzerland on Saturday for a place in the final

AI / Reuters / Panoramic

November 11, 2022

The Czech Republic – the most successful team in the competition in the last decade – reached the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup yet again on Friday as they saw off the United States 2-0.

Wins for Marketa Vondrousova and Katerina Siniakova ensured that the Czechs will take on the Swiss in the semi-finals after Belinda Bencic led them to a 2-0 win over Canada.

Britain, who stunned Spain, will play Australia in the first semi-final.

Czech Republic power into the semi-finals 🇨🇿#BJKCupFinals | @jsmeceskytenis pic.twitter.com/gICqahcmJ7
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) November 11, 2022

Czechs too strong yet again

The Czechs, winners of the trophy, formerly called the Fed Cup, on 11 occasions including 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018, saw off a US side who had designs on the title.

First Vondrousova, who won a WTA 125 in Shrewsbury last weekend as she builds toward full fitness following six months out with wrist surgery, beat world No 14 Danielle Collins 6-3, 6-3 to give the Czech Republic the perfect start.

And Siniakova, better known for her doubles prowess, then outplayed American Coco Gauff 7-6 (1), 6-1 to seal the win and set up an intriguing semi-final against Switzerland.

Bencic finds her groove for Switzerland

Earlier, Belinda Bencic was close to her very best as she sealed a 2-0 win for the Swiss over Canada.

The runners-up last year, Switzerland also owed their win to a brilliant display from Viktorija Golubic, who beat former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Olympic champion Bencic then beat Leylah Fernandez 6-0, 7-5 to complete the win.

“I feel like I’m moving really well and I’m just trying to grind and fight for every point,” said Bencic, who took six of her 10 break point chances. “I think then you get into the rhythm a little bit, and of course it feels great to be pushed by my team and just to have the heart on the sleeve.”