Spain to Face Ukraine in BJK Cup

Spain's national team has been drawn against Ukraine in the quarter-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup. Carla Suárez's squad will commence the tournament's final phase, having qualified after passing the Ostrava preliminaries, against one of the favourites, featuring Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk, both regulars in the final rounds of tournaments and ranked 14th and 27th in the world, respectively.

The draw, conducted this Monday in Shenzhen, China, the finals' venue from September 16 to 21, has placed Spain with Ukraine, Italy against the host, China, Kazakhstan against the United States, and Japan against Great Britain. Should they advance, Spain will face either Italy, the reigning champion, or China in the semi-finals.

Spain earned the right to be in this final phase after overcoming the preliminaries held in Ostrava, Czech Republic, with a group stage format of three teams where only the first would qualify for these quarter-finals. Led by Sara Sorribes, Cristina Bucsa, and debutant Jessica Bouzas, who won both matches she played, Carla Suárez's team first defeated Brazil and then the favourites, the Czech Republic, to secure their place in Shenzhen.

Paula Badosa was unable to participate in that series due to a chronic back injury that has plagued her for some time, causing her to withdraw from the Charleston, Madrid, and Rome tournaments, and preventing her from debuting on clay before the start of Roland Garros on May 25.

Carla Suárez hopes to have Badosa available for the final phase, as was the case last year when the tournament was held in Málaga and Spain lost in the quarter-finals to Iga Swiatek's Poland.

Another concern for the Gran Canaria native is Sara Sorribes, crucial in the singles against Brazil and in the doubles, where she won the Madrid tournament and the bronze medal in Paris alongside Bucsa. The Castellón native announced several weeks ago a break, which could be temporary or permanent, due to mental health issues.

Returning as the tournament director for the third consecutive year in these Shenzhen finals is Conchita Martínez. The format will remain the usual two singles matches followed by a doubles match if necessary and the tie has not already been decided.