Slovenia, Czech Republic set up Billy Jean King Cup Finals semis with Italy, Canada

Slovenia and 11-time winners the Czech Republic reached the Billie Jean King Cup Finals semifinals on Friday, setting up their next round with Italy and Canada, respectively.

The Slovenian team qualified thanks to the best sets win-loss record of the group phase, as they lost their last match in Group B 1-2 to Kazakhstan. Kaja Juvan put Slovenia ahead beating Anna Danilina 6-1, 6-0, and Tamara Zidansek secured Slovenia's berth in the semifinals when she won the first set of the second singles match between the two sides 6-2 against Yulia Putintseva, before she quit the match. Danilina and Zhibek Kulambayeva later won the doubles match 2-6, 6-4 (10-7) against Veronika Erjavec and Ela Milic.

Later on Friday, the Czech team outclassed the U.S. till the last minute, when Katerina Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova beat Danielle Collins and Taylor Townsend 6-3, 7-5 in the deciding doubles match.

Collins gave the American side a lead after beating Siniakova 6-3, 6-3, but Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova came to the rescue to hand her side a lifeline beating Sofia Kenin 6-1, 6-1 in the second singles match.

Meanwhile, as the Czech Republic secured the last berth in the semifinal round, France, Germany, Spain and Poland who also played on Friday failed to advance despite France and Spain's victories.

France downed Germany 3-0, but both sides lost to group leaders Italy earlier this week which meant their tie was a fight for ranking points for their nations. Hosts Spain clinched a victory long overdue against Poland 2-0, when Rebeka Masarova defeated Katarzyna Kawa 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, and Sara Sorribes Tormo bested Magda Linette 7-6 (5), 6-3.