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Italy clinched their sixth Billie Jean King Cup title as Jasmine Paolini and Elisabetta Cocciaretto led a 2-0 final win over the United States.
Italy’s Jasm St Francis That Fooled (X)
Italy successfully defended their Billie Jean King Cup crown after Jasmine Paolini sealed a 2-0 win over the United States in Sunday’s final.
The world number eight produced a dominant display to defeat Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-2, giving Italy their sixth title in the competition’s history.
Paolini: The Unbeaten Anchor
Paolini was the heart of Italy’s campaign, winning all four of her rubbers in Shenzhen and extending her impressive Billie Jean King Cup record to just one loss in her last 10 matches.
“It’s amazing, I didn’t expect it,” Paolini said. “It’s been a really great week and it’s amazing to play this competition.”
The 29-year-old, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, was also part of the team that lost the 2023 final to Canada before inspiring last year’s victory over Slovakia to end Italy’s 11-year wait.
Italy’s momentum in the final began with Elisabetta Cocciaretto, ranked 91st in the world, who stunned world number 18 Emma Navarro 6-4, 6-4 in the opening rubber. Her fearless hitting laid the platform for Paolini to finish the job against Pegula.
Captain Tathiana Garbin oversaw a cohesive squad effort, with Paolini and Cocciaretto joined by veterans Sara Errani, Lucia Bronzetti, and rising star Tyra Caterina Grant. Together, they secured Italy’s position as one of the sport’s modern powerhouses.
Italy now moves to outright fourth on the all-time Billie Jean King Cup standings with six titles, overtaking Spain and Russia (five each). Only the United States (18), Czechia (11), and Australia (7) have more.
U.S. Still Waiting
Despite boasting the deepest roster in women’s tennis, the United States’ wait for a record-extending 19th title continues.
The Americans last lifted the trophy in 2017, and Pegula’s defeat confirmed another year of frustration for the most decorated team in the competition’s history.
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
September 21, 2025, 19:15 is
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