Marchenko: “Couple Kichenok / Kostyuk? It was not a solution in one minute ”

Tennis national team captain Ilya Marchenko answered the questions of journalists after completing the semi -final confrontation of Billy Cup Gin King 2025 against the Italian team (1: 2):

– Captain, you held a wonderful tournament and went out to the semifinals. Share your impressions.

– Of course, it is a historical achievement for us – to reach this stage. We are very pleased with this, glad this season.

But yes, today’s match was very tense and difficult. We had every chance of winning. Therefore, it is difficult to talk about the tournament in a positive way at the moment. Not as a whole, but at the moment we are very sad.

– Was the decision made after Martha’s outstanding speech, did you plan to play with this couple in advance against Spain, or something in this kind?

– We had this plan from the beginning. It was not a solution in one minute. We had options, but it was our main choice.

Italy – Ukraine – 2: 1

• Elizabethta Kocharto – Martha Kostyuk – 2: 6, 3: 6
• Jasmine Paolini – Elina Svitolina – 3: 6, 6: 4, 6: 4
• Jasmine Paolini / Sarah Errani – Ludmila Kichenok / Marta Kostyuk – 6: 2, 6: 3

Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Ilya Marchenko