On Wednesday, Italy won the Billie Jean King Cup for the fifth time with an emphatic 2-0 victory over Slovakia as Jasmine Paolini defeated Rebekah Slamková. World No. 4 Paolini followed up Lucia Bronzetti’s 6-2, 6-4 victory over Viktoria Hrunczakova with a 6-2, 6-1 win in the second singles rubber. Italy finished runner-up to Canada in last year’s final, but with one win in Malaga they became world champions for the first time since 2013.
The victory capped off a great year for Paolini, who finished runner-up at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
“It’s been an unbelievable year, it’s unbelievable, it’s amazing to finish it like this with the Billie Jean King Cup. I don’t have the words to describe it,” Paolini said.
“I’m just trying to enjoy it, it’s important to understand where I’m at, I feel lucky to be in this position, I’m lucky to be part of this team. I feel…
“I’m really happy to be able to bring home the trophy again this year.”
Slovakia, who won the competition in 2002, had never lost a BJK Cup in Spain.
In this year’s final, the underdog teams defeated the USA, Australia and Great Britain in spectacular fashion, but Bronzetti easily overtook Hrunchakova within 90 minutes.
The in-form Slamkova, ranked 43rd in the rankings, fought off two break points in the first set to hold a 2-2 lead, but the superior Paolini broke her to take a 4-2 lead and solidify her lead.
The Slovakian gave Paolini two set points with a double fault, and the Italian took the first set point when Slamkova put a shot into the net.
Paolini broke in the second game of the second set and looked like she might win without a fight, but Slamkova quickly fought back and regained serve.
Slamková defeated Danielle Collins, Ajla Tomljanovic and Katie Boulter in the Slovak charge to reach the final, but Paolini was too much of a bridge.
The 28-year-old Italian regained the advantage with a sharp forehand to take a 3-1 lead, which he then consolidated.
2024 is a big jump for Paolini, who has spent most of his career outside the top 50.
She broke again when Slamkova went long and served it out for a decisive victory in 1 hour and 5 minutes.
“Right now I’m very sad and disappointed, but I respect what (Italy) has done,” a dejected Slamkova told reporters.
“Maybe in a few days I’ll be happy with second place and take something from those games for the future.”
– “Dreams come true” –
In the first match, Bronzetti, ranked 78th in the world, did not give the experienced Hrunchakova a chance to use her power, forcing her opponent to move around the court.
“I’m very proud to be here representing Italy and I’m very happy about this win,” Bronzetti said.
“(The plan was) to hit the ball, be solid and try to move her when I had the chance.”
Bronzetti secured three breaks in the first set and came into his own in his first service game, conceding only one point.
Hrunczakova, ranked 159th in the rankings, fought hard in the second set to take a 4-2 lead, but the Italian quickly fought back and won the last four games in a row to take the victory.
Before Paolini could finish his duties for Italy, the Slovakian sent in a long return for Bronzetti to seal the victory.
“The sentiment is a little sad at the moment, but you have to look at the big picture. What we did here was actually amazing,” said Hrunchakova.
“If someone said this to us before the tournament, we’d be excited.”
Italy, captained by Tatiana Galvin, defeated Iga Swiatek’s Poland and Japan in the final, aiming to win the tournament known as the “World Cup of Tennis.”
“It’s a dream come true…I’m so proud of (the players). They’re fighting every day and this journey has been incredible,” Garvin said.
“(They) never give up, stay focused on their goals and continue to strive to become better people and better players.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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