Britain suffer Billie Jean King Cup semi-final heartbreak

Malaga (Spain): Great Britain suffered Billie Jean King Cup heartbreak as Slovakia fought back to claim a 2-1 victory in the semi-finals in Malaga. Britain looked to be heading for their first final in the competition since 1981 when Emma Raducanu defeated Viktoria Hruncakova 6-4 6-4 and Katie Boulter won the opening set against Rebecca Sramkova. Neither had dropped a set all week until that point but Boulter could not maintain her advantage and Sramkova fought back to claim a 2-6 6-4 6-4 victory and send the tie to a deciding doubles. Called into action for the first time all week, Heather Watson and Olivia Nicholls were caught cold by Hruncakova and Tereza Mihalikova and fell to a one-sided 6-2 6-2 defeat. It is therefore Slovakia who will take on Italy on Wednesday for the title, while Britain must reflect on a disappointing end to what has nevertheless been a positive campaign. In particular, the performances of Raducanu, who was a doubt for the event after suffering a foot injury two months ago, show that Britain can hope to challenge for the title again in the near future. (PA Media/DPA)