Russia have lifted the Billie Jean King Cup in its first contest since being rebranded from the Fed Cup. Russia defeated Switzerland 2-0 in the final in Prague to win their fifth title in the tournament overall and their first since 2008. Daria Kasatkina got the ball rolling by overcoming the Swiss number two player Jil Teichmann 6-2 6-4. Liudmila Samsonova battled past world number 17 Belinda Bencic in the second rubber 3-6 6-4 6-4. Samsonova, who started the year ranked world number 127 and is now at a career high of 40, was playing in her debut finals. Having levelled the match in the second set, she broke Bencic in the first game of the decider, and held on to the advantage before closing out the championship.
