Seville, Nov 10 (IANS) Italy became the first team to reach the semifinals of the Billie Jean King Cup on Thursday after beating Germany 3-0 in their second group match.

The win means Italy have ensured a place in the last four after having previously beaten France 2-1 in their first group tie, reports Xinhua.

On Thursday, Jasmine Paolini was in excellent form to take her second singles win as she defeated Anna-Lena Friedsam 6-3, 6-2.

Paolini’s victory came after Martina Trevisan also took her second singles victory of the week as she overcame a close first set to defeat Eva Lys in the first runner of the day, 7-6, 6-1.

Canada are also into the semifinals after defeating Poland, with Leylah Fernandez beating Magda Linette 6-2, 6-3 to confirm Canada’s qualification after Marina Stakusic had come back from a set down to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 against Magdalena Frech in two hours and 47 minutes.

Australia kept their qualification hopes alive thanks to a doubles win for Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez against Kazakhstan.

Hunter showed why she is the world’s top-ranked doubles player, as she and Perez beat Anna Danilina and Yulia Putintseva 6-1, 4-6 (10-5) to seal the tie.

Hunter had earlier beaten Danilina 7-6 (2), 6-4 to put Australia ahead, but Putintseva had made it 1-1 with a 6-0, 7-5 win against Kimberly Birrell 6-0, 7-5.

Kazakhstan play Slovenia on Friday and a win for Slovenia, who have already beaten Australia, would put them into the last four.

Reigning champions Switzerland are out of the tournament after losing to the United States 3-0.

Danielle Collins beat Celine Naef, 7-6 (7), 6-1, before Sofia Kenin defeated Viktorija Golubic 6-3, 6-7 (7), 7-5 in a nail-biting marathon which lasted almost three hours.

–IANS