Ukraine 2-3 Romania: Comeback complete as Bogdan and Cristian lead incredible reversal

Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the tie was staged by the Elina Svitolina Foundation on the green clay of Amelia Island in Florida. 
 

The conditions on Saturday were much more playable than they were on Friday when strong wind affected both matches. But if Ukraine were expecting a straightforward day to clinch victory, the Romanian team had other ideas. 
 

Bogdan set the wheels in motion for Romania’s comeback with a performance of incredible grit to overcome Svitolina. The Ukrainian is usually the one who thrives when the rallies become long and gruelling, but Bogdan dug deep. In the final set she came through a 20-point game which proved decisive and allowed her to serve the match out with ease.  
 

“For me this moment means a lot”, Bogdan said afterwards. “I gave my heart out there. I’ve been through some difficult times. I didn’t win a match for a month and a half. But to be here representing my country, it’s just amazing.”
 

Cristian then made sure that Bogdan’s heroic efforts were not in vain as she defeated Tsurenko in three sets. The Ukrainian led by a set and had multiple break points that would have taken her within a couple of games of victory, but Cristian flipped the script with her drop shot proving to be a particularly effective weapon. 
 

She needed two attempts to serve it out but she eventually got over the line, doing so, fittingly, with one final unplayable drop shot. 

And so to the doubles. The Romanian pair cruised through the opening set but the second set was much tighter, with the Kichenok twins bouncing back from a a controversial double hit call from the umpire, and even creating a set point of their own. 
 
But with the sun setting and shadow engulfing the whole court, the Romanian duo of Bogdan and Cristian stayed strong. They had come so far, they were not about to be denied now. On their third match point, Bogdan struck a perfect backhand return winner. 
 
“I don’t even know what I did”, admitted Bogdan. “I saw the ball and I hit it.” 
 
She did more than that. She played her part in one of the most incredible comebacks this famous competition has seen.