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Summary for: Czech women reach first Billie Jean King Cup final in eight yearsCzechia has reached the Billie Jean King Cup final for the first time in eight years after Karolína Muchová and Linda Nosková secured a 2-0 semifinal victory over Spain in Shenzhen on Friday.
Nosková clinched the decisive point with a 7-6, 6-2 victory over Cristina Bucsa, building on Muchová’s earlier 7-5, 6-4 win against Jessica Bouzas.
Captain Barbora Strýcová’s team will face either Ukraine or defending champion Italy in Sunday’s final. Czechia is seeking its 12th title in the women’s team competition and its first since 2018.
Muchová battles through difficult return
Muchová, the world No. 8, was playing her first competitive match since the US Open. She did not take the court during Czechia’s 2-0 quarterfinal victory over Britain earlier this week.
The 30-year-old initially struggled to find her rhythm against 93rd-ranked Bouzas, falling behind 4-2 in the opening set. She immediately recovered the break and then saved three more break points in the eighth game.
Muchová broke again for a 6-5 lead and served out the set. In the second, she surrendered an early break advantage but broke Bouzas again in the fifth game and retained the lead to close out the match in one hour and 40 minutes.
“It was a tough match,” Muchová said. “I hadn’t played since the US Open, so it took me a while to find my game.”
Muchová converted four break points and saved five of the seven she faced.
Strýcová praised the Olomouc native for overcoming a shaky opening. “It wasn’t easy to get into the match, but then she handled it brilliantly,” the captain told Czech Television.
Nosková seals place in Sunday’s final
Nosková, the world No. 6 and reigning Wimbledon champion, secured the second point in 90 minutes against 35th-ranked Bucsa.
The 21-year-old led 5-2 in the opening set but failed to convert two set points and was forced into a tiebreak. She recovered from 4-2 down to win it 7-5.
“I’m glad I recovered from losing that 5-2 lead and managed to win the tiebreak,” Nosková said. “After that, it went better.”
She dominated the second set, winning five consecutive games after trailing 2-1. Nosková served seven aces and finished the match with a love hold.
It was her second singles victory of the tournament following Tuesday’s win over Britain’s Katie Boulter.
The result avenged Czechia’s 2-1 loss to Spain during last year’s qualifying group in Ostrava. It also sends the team into its first final under the competition’s current tournament format, introduced in the 2020-21 season.
“The whole team contributed to reaching the final; it’s not just my achievement,” Nosková said. “We’re all incredibly happy we managed it. There’s one more step left.”
