Italy won the Billie Jean King Cup for a fifth time when Jasmine Paolini beat Rebekka Sramkova to secure a dominant 2-0 win over Slovakia on Wednesday. World number four Paolini cruised to a 6-2, 6-1 win on the second singles rubber before Lucia Bronzetti cruised to a 6-2, 6-4 win over Victoria Khruntsakova. Italy finished second to Canada in last year’s final but beat them by one place in Malaga to become world champions for the first time since 2013.
The victory capped a stunning year for Paolini, who finished runner-up at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
“Incredible year, incredible, to end it with the Billie Jean King Cup, it’s amazing, I don’t have the words to describe it,” Paolini said.
“I’m just trying to enjoy it, it’s important to understand where you are, I’m lucky to be in this position, I’m lucky to be part of this team…
“I’m really happy that we were able to bring the trophy home again this year.”
Slovakia, which won the competition in 2002, has never lost in the BJK Cup in Spain.
The underdogs defeated the USA, Australia and Great Britain in a stunning run to this year’s final, but Bronzetti overtook Khrunchakova in less than 90 minutes.
The in-form Sramkova, seeded 43rd, withstood two break points to hold for 2-2 in the first set, but the superior Paolini surged ahead to seal a 4-2 lead.
The Slovakian double-faulted to give Paolini two set points, with the Italian taking the first of them when Sramkova fired into the net.
Paolini broke through in the second game of the second set and looked like she could win without a fight, but Sramkova hit back immediately and returned to serve.
Sramkova defeated Danielle Collins, Ajla Tomljanovic and Katie Boulter on Slovakia’s route to the final, but Paolini was too far away.
The 28-year-old Italian restored her advantage with a superb forehand to take a 3-1 lead before clinging on.
Having spent most of her career outside the top 50, 2024 was a huge leap forward for Paolini.
She broke again when Sramkova went long and handed in a convincing victory in one hour and five minutes.
“I’m so sad now, I’m disappointed, but at the same time I respect (Italy) for what they did,” a dejected Sramkova told reporters.
“Maybe in a few days we will enjoy being second and take something for the future from these matches.”
– “A dream come true” –
In the first match, world No. 78 Bronzetti denied the experienced Khruntsakova the opportunity to use her strength and forced her opponent to move around the court.
“I’m very proud to be here representing Italy and I’m so happy about this victory,” Bronzetti said.
“(The plan was) to hit the ball, stay firm and try to move her when I had the opportunity.”
Bronzetti made three breaks in the first set, missing just one on her first serve when she broke.
Hruncakova, ranked 159th, fought bravely in the second set to take a 4-2 lead but the Italian hit back immediately, winning the last four games to claim victory.
Bronzetti sealed her victory in the service of love as the Slovak hit back well before Paolini finished the job for Italy.
“At the moment the emotions are a little sad, but we need to look at the big picture, and what we did here was really amazing,” Khrunchakova said.
“If they had told us about this before the tournament, we would have been delighted.”
Italy, led by Tatiana Garbin, defeated Poland, led by Iga Swiatek, as well as Japan in the final en route to winning the tournament dubbed the “Tennis World Cup.”
“This is a dream come true… I’m so proud of these players, they fight every day and this journey has been incredible,” Garbin said.
“(They) never give up and stay focused on the goal, and they still try to work to become better people and 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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