Paolini leads Italy to Billie Jean King Cup title
Two-time grand slam finalist Jasmine Paolini has capped a breakthrough season by leading Italy to their first Billie Jean King Cup title since 2013, defeating Rebecca Sramkova 6-2 6-1 to seal a 2-0 victory over Slovakia in the final of the women’s team competition.
The No.4-ranked Paolini was the runner-up at the French Open in June and at Wimbledon in July, making her the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to get to the title matches at Roland Garros and the All England Club in the same season. Before this year, Paolini, 28, had lost in the first or second round in all 16 career appearances at majors.
“Unbelievable year. Unbelievable. A crazy year. To finish like this, with a title … it’s amazing. I don’t have words to describe it. I’m trying just to enjoy every moment,” Paolini said.
“I feel lucky to be in the position. I feel lucky to be part of this team.”
She also teamed with Sara Errani to win a doubles gold medal at the Paris Olympics in August. They were lined up to play in the concluding match against Slovakia, but it wasn’t needed because Italy clinched the best-of-three series by sweeping the two singles matches.
“Jasmine raised her level really high this year … She’s an example for all of us,” said her teammate, 78th-ranked Lucia Bronzetti, who took Wednesday’s opener 6-2 6-4 score against Viktoria Hruncakova before a crowd that included International Tennis Hall of Famer and equal rights pioneer Billie Jean King.
Italy, who eliminated Iga Swiatek and Poland in the semi-finals, earned their fifth championship a year after finishing as the runners-up to Canada.
“I’m so proud of them. They fight every day,” Italy captain Tathiana Garbin said.
“This journey was incredible.”
The triumph adds to what’s been quite a recent run for Italy in tennis, including two grand slam trophies in 2024 and the No.1 men’s ranking for Jannik Sinner, who helped his country claim last year’s Davis Cup. Sinner and Italy meet Argentina in the men’s quarter-finals on Thursday, also in Malaga.
This is the first time the two premier International Tennis Federation team events are being held at the same site.
Bronzetti never had played a BJK Cup singles match until this week. She said she didn’t find out until Tuesday night that she would be in the line-up against Slovakia.
“I didn’t sleep very well,” Bronzetti said.
“You’re not playing just for yourself … You’re playing for your team and your country.”
Slovakia, who won the BJK Cup in 2002, eliminated the United States, Australia and Great Britain to get to the final.
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