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Czech Republic eased past Ukraine to win the Billie Jean King Cup for the 12th time. <\/b><\/p>\n
This year’s Wimbledon finalists Linda Noskova and Karolina Muchova breezed past their opponents to secure a 2-0 victory and deny the Ukrainians a first title in the competition. <\/p>\n
Muchova, the runner-up at Wimbledon, comfortably beat Anhelina Kalinina 6-2 6-3 in the opening singles match before Noskova’s 6-3 \u20607-6 (7-5) win over world number seven Elina Svitolina \u200csecured the title. <\/p>\n
It is the Czechs’ first win at the event since 2018, making them the second-most successful nation in its history after the United States, who have 18 titles.<\/p>\n
It was also a first win as captain for Barbora Strycova, who has three previous triumphs to her name as a player. As a team, they dropped just one set throughout the tournament.<\/p>\n
The Czechs also knocked out Great Britain in the quarter-finals in Shenzhen, China, which led GB captain Anne Keothavong to describe them as “the strongest team here”.<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n