by Randy Walker
@TennsPublisher
On the same day when Russia blasted over 200 missiles into Ukraine in their ongoing invasion, the Ukrainian women’s Billie Jean King Cup national team came back to defeat Austria 3-2 in a match played forced to to be played in the United States in McKinney, Texas due to the conflict.
It was the second time this year Ukraine was playing a “home” tie in the U.S. after losing 3-2 to Romania in April in Amelia Island, Fla. On Sunday, Ukraine trailed 1-2 before Katarina Zavatska leveled the tie at 2-2 with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Julia Grabher. In the decisive doubles match, Zavatska teamed with Nadiia Kichenok to defeat Sinja Kraus and Tamira Paszek 5-7, 6-2, 6-4.
“We are just very happy and very pleased with the win here,” said former World No. 3 Elina Svitolina, who was sidelined with an ankle injury. “It’s been tough for the team coming back from 1-2 down and I am very proud of the girls for the fight, for the spirt that they brought.”
Svitolina and her foundation, The Svitolina Foundation, manage the Ukrainian BJK Cup team while also raising funds to help the Ukrainian people in their time of need. For more information on the Foundation, go to www.ElinaSvitolinaFoundation.org.
“Winning this tie means a lot to us and to Ukraine it’s been really tough the last couple of weeks, the last two days has been a horrible time for Ukrainian people in general,” said Svitolina, who’s foundation teamed with the Bush/Wikse Ace Outreach Program in Midland, Texas. “More than 120 drones and missles over Ukraine so it’s amazing to have a win and a little spark of happiness for Ukrainian people. So tomorrow they are going to wake up with the good news and we are really proud of this. We really wanted to get the win for Ukraine.”
On February 22, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine and has consistently bombarded the nation resulting in about one million casualties. On November 17, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukrainian power stations with over 200 missiles in one of its largest ever attacks.
