Slovenia join Italy, Canada in BJK Cup semi-finals

SEVILLE, Nov 10 (AFP): Kaja Juvan helped Slovenia seal its berth in the Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup semi-finals on Friday with a straight sets demolition of Kazakhstan's Anna Danilina.
Juvan, ranked 104 in the world, crushed 814-ranked Danilina 6-1, 6-0 in 53 minutes.
Teammate Tamara Zidansek won the first set of the second rubber against Yulia Putintseva to ensure Slovenia finished top of Group B and join Italy and Canada in the semi-finals of the women's team event.
Zidansek retired after the second set with Putintseva as a result winning 2-6, 6-2, which was enough for Slovenia to seal their place in the last four.
The Slovenians will meet Italy on Saturday, after the Italians secured their berth on Thursday by finishing first in Group D.
The other semi-final will see Canada, also qualified since Thursday, face either the United States or the Czech Republic, who will battle for top spot in Group A later Friday.