number two

British number two Emma Raducanu put her team in early command with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Viktoria Hruncakova at the start of Tuesday's semi-final.

But while Paolini won the opening set, her first in four meetings with the Polish world number two, Swiatek prevailed 3-6 6-4 6-4 to send the tie to a decider.

British number two Raducanu, playing for only the second time in almost two months following a foot injury, won 6-0 7-5 against Canada's Rebecca Marino in Malaga.

Former Grand Slam champion Raducanu also ranks third among the number two players.

Poland possess the tournament's most potent weapon in world number two Iga Swiatek and another top-50 player in Magda Linette providing able assistance.