Kalinina Secured Ukraine's First Victory at the Billie Jean King Cup

Angelina Kalinina secured the first victory for the Ukrainian national team in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup.

The Ukrainian tennis player defeated Belgium’s Jana Ociпка in a tough match.

2026 Billie Jean King Cup. Quarterfinals

Ukraine – Belgium – 1:0

Angelina Kalinina – Jana Ociпка – 6:7 (6:8), 6:1, 6:1

Angelina Kalinina became the first Ukrainian to take the court in the quarterfinal match against Belgium. The world No. 48 faced off against 21-year-old Yana Otsipka, who is ranked 474th in the WTA rankings.

The first set was a tense affair. The players stayed neck-and-neck throughout and eventually took the set to a tiebreak.

In the tiebreak, Otsipka managed to capitalize on her opportunities and won 8–6, taking the lead in sets.

After a disappointing first set, Kalinina completely turned the match around. In the second set, the Ukrainian conceded only one game to her opponent and won 6–1.

In the decisive third set, Kalinina continued to dominate on the court. The Ukrainian once again won the set 6–1, securing a hard-fought victory over Otsipka.

In total, the match lasted just over two hours.

Angelina Kalinina’s victory earned the Ukrainian team its first point in the series against Belgium. To win the quarterfinal series, the Ukrainian team needs to win one more match.

Next to take the court was Ukraine’s top-ranked player, Elina Svitolina, who faced Belgium’s Gret Minnen.

The winner of the Ukraine–Belgium match will face the winner of the Italy–China quarterfinal in the semifinals of the Billie Jean King Cup.

As a reminder, in the U.S., world No. 3 Jessica Pegula defeated 31st-seeded Leila Fernandez and advanced to the fourth round of the U.S. Open. In her next match, the American tennis player is set to face Romania’s Sorana Kirstea, who is seeded 16th.

On September 5 in New York, USA, American tennis player Coco Gauff defeated Spain’s Cristina Bucsa 6–3, 6–4 in the third round of the US Open and advanced to the fourth round of the tournament.

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