Italy won their fifth Billie Jean’s King Cup title on Wednesday, with Jasmine Paolini beating Rebecca Sramkova to beat Slovakia 2-0. World No. 4 Paolini won her second singles match 6-2, 6-1, while Lucia Broncetti won 6-2, 6-4 against Viktoria Hruncakova. Italy finished runners-up to Canada in last year’s final, but went one step further in Malaga and became world champions for the first time since 2013.
The win capped off an incredible year for Paolini, with runner-up finishes at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
“It’s an unbelievable year, it’s unbelievable,” said Paolini. “To end it like this with the Billie Jean King Cup is just amazing. There are no words to describe it.”
“I’m just trying to have fun. It’s important to understand where you are. I feel lucky to be in this position, 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 2002 tournament, has never lost a BJK Cup match against Spain.
The underdog team beat the United States, Australia and Great Britain to reach this year’s final, but the bronze tee got past Hrunkakova in less than 90 minutes.
The fit, 43rd-ranked Sramkova survived two break points to remain 2-2 up in the first set, but the excellent Paolini broke to take a 4-2 lead.
The Slovak double faulted to hand Paolini two set points, the Italian taking the first of them when Sramkova fired a shot into the net.
Paolini broke in the second game of the second set and looked like she could win without a fight, but Sramkova immediately fought back and got back on serve.
Sramkova defeated Danielle Collins, Ajla Tomljanovic and Katie Boulter to advance to Slovakia’s final, but Paolini was a bridge too far.
The 28-year-old Italian regained the advantage with a powerful forehand to take a 3-1 lead before consolidating it.
Having spent most of her career outside the top 50, 2024 was a huge leap forward for Paolini.
She broke again when Sramkova worked long and hard to secure a clear victory in one hour and five minutes.
“I am so sad and disappointed right now, but I have all respect for what (Italy) did,” a deflated Sramkova told reporters.
“Maybe in a few days we will enjoy the fact that we are second and get something from that game for the future.”
– ‘Dreams come true’ –
In the first match, the bronze world number 78 denied the experienced Hrunkakova the opportunity to use her strength and forced her opponent to roam the court.
“I am very proud to be here representing Italy and I am very happy with this win,” Broncetti said.
“(The plan was) to hit the ball, stay solid and try to move her when I had the chance.”
Broncetti took a big step forward by securing three breaks in the first set and conceding just one break in her first service game.
No. 159 Hruncakova won the second set to take a 4-2 lead, but the Italian immediately fought back to win the final four games.
Broncetti sealed her victory by contributing at love when the Slovak sent the comeback well before Paolini completed his mission in Italy.
“Emotions are a little sad right now, but we need to look at the whole picture, and what we’ve done here is actually amazing,” Hruncakova said.
“We would be very happy if someone said this to us before the competition.”
Italy, led by captain Tathiana Garbin, defeated Iga Swiatek’s Poland and Japan in the final of the tournament dubbed the ‘Tennis World Cup’.
“It’s a dream come true… I’m so proud of (the players), they fight every day and this journey has been incredible,” Garbin said.
“(They) never gave up, stayed focused on their goals and continued to strive to become better people and players.”
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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