{"id":23149,"date":"2023-11-10T10:43:07","date_gmt":"2023-11-10T10:43:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/italy-canada-qualify-for-semi-finals-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-11-10T10:43:07","modified_gmt":"2023-11-10T10:43:07","slug":"italy-canada-qualify-for-semi-finals-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/italy-canada-qualify-for-semi-finals-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Italy, Canada qualify for semi-finals | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nSEVILLE:
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Italy and Canada booked their tickets to the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup<\/a> on Thursday with 3-0 wins over Germany and Poland respectively as defending champions Switzerland crashed out.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Canada’s<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

Spain lost to the Canadians 3-0 on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Switzerland, who won their only title last year, were also eliminated, falling 3-0 to the United States a day after having lost by the same scoreline to the Czech Republic.<\/p>\n

Danielle Collins and Sofia Kenin led Team USA in the singles.<\/p>\n

Earlier four-time winners Italy beat Germany to eliminate Group D rivals France.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Debutant Lucia Bronzetti and Elisabetta Cocciaretto completed the Italian rout with a win over Friedsam and Laura Siegemund in the doubles.<\/p>\n

Italy, who beat France 2-1 on Wednesday, finish top of the three-team group.<\/p>\n

Australia, runners-up in the 2022 final to Switzerland, beat Kazakhstan 2-1 to notch up their first win of the tournament after losing to Slovenia on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Storm Hunter gave the Australians their first point against Anna Danilina 7-6 (7\/2), 6-4.<\/p>\n

Yulia Putintseva pulled Kazakhstan level with a 6-0, 7-5 win over Kimberley Birrell.<\/p>\n

The doubles, with the same players, made the difference with Australia winning a super tie-break 6-1, 4-6, 1-0 (10\/5).<\/p>\n

The Australian team, which had lost to Slovenia on Wednesday, maintains its hopes of reaching the semi-finals.<\/p>\n

The first in each of the four groups advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for Saturday, before the final on Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n