In a thrilling display at the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals, Slovakia stunned Australia with a commanding 2-0 victory to secure their first semifinal spot since 2002. The action kicked off with Viktória Hrunčáková edging past Kimberly Birrell in a fiercely contested opener, setting the tone for Rebecca Šramková’s clinching win over Ajla Tomljanović, who battled through a nagging knee injury.
Australia’s campaign faced an uphill battle even before the tie began, with severe flooding in Málaga disrupting practice sessions. Under the leadership of new captain Sam Stosur, the team fought valiantly but couldn’t overcome the composed and determined Slovakian squad.
Slovakia’s journey to the semifinals has been nothing short of remarkable, including an upset over the United States in the first round, where the pairing of Hrunčáková and Tereza Mihalíková delivered a dramatic doubles triumph. This confidence and momentum carried seamlessly into their quarterfinal, showcasing the team’s depth and resilience.
Now, Slovakia gears up for a high-stakes semifinal against Great Britain lead by Anne Keothavong, a clash that promises to deliver fireworks as both teams battle for a coveted spot in the final.