A TRUE underdog tale is emerging in Malaga with world number 10s Slovakia – expected to essentially make up the numbers coming into the Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup Finals – reaching the decider for just the second time in the nation’s history.

The small European country – least population of any nation at the BJK Cup Finals – knocked off three of the tennis world’s biggest nations in the United States, Australia and now Great Britain, to face last year’s runner-up Italy for ultimate glory.

While still going into that final as heavy underdogs given the form of world number four Jasmine Paolini not just in singles, but doubles as well, Slovakia is holding its own in its matches, closing out key contests and winning decisive doubles. Rebecca Sramkova is in career-best form with the world number 43 taking two Top 30 scalps being Danielle Collins and Katie Boulter, as well as former Top 30 player, Ajla Tomljanovic.

Overnight, Sramkova faced her biggest challenge against an equally red-hot Boulter who raced to a first set lead of 6-2. After US Open champion Emma Raducanu proved too good for Viktoria Hruncakova 6-4 6-4 in the opening match, Boulter put Great Britain just one set away from reaching the BJK Cup final for the first time in 43 years.

For Slovakia, history beckoned for the nation to reach its first BJK Cup decider in 22 years since the country saluted way back in 2002. Needing to dig deep in the contest, Sramkova patiently worked back into the contest, first taking a set off Boulter, then closing out the match 2-6 6-4 6-4 against the world number 24.

It meant the tie came down to a deciding doubles which saw Hruncakova back on court to team up with specialist doubles player Tereza Mihalikova. The pair went up against both Heather Watson and Great Britain’s doubles specialist in Olivia Nicholls, however the higher ranked nation had not yet needed to go to doubles, which showed in the contest with the Slovakians winning 6-2 6-2 in a 73-minute domination.

“This is a special moment for our country, for our players and for tennis in Slovakia,” captain Matej Liptak said post-match. “It’s so many years since we won it – and we’ve only won it once.

“But today it’s real and we are just one step from the biggest victory this team has had. We will try to enjoy it tomorrow but, for now, we are unbelievably happy. The team is unbelievably happy, and we are enjoying the moment.

“All my girls will be legends now. Even if they don’t finish it tomorrow, this is a really special moment for them and for our country. Everyone will know who was in this team. But we will try to go one more match.”