Great Britain have fallen short in their bid to reach Billie Jean King Cup for the first time since 1981, as Slovakia came from behind to beat them and set up a final clash against Italy.

Outsiders Slovakia reached the Billie Jean King Cup final as doubles pairing Tereza Mihalikova and Viktoria Hruncakova completed a comeback victory in Malaga on Tuesday. Emma Raducanu had given Britain the lead by beating Hruncakova in the opening singles but Rebecca Sramkova hit back for the Slovaks by upsetting Katie Boulter in three sets.

Great Britain face Slovakia in the last four of the Billie Jean King Cup as Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter look to lead the way to a first final in the women’s team event since 1981.Raducanu and Boulter have been on top form to defeat Germany and Canada on their way to the semi-finals,