Italy has clinched the Billie Jean King Cup for the fifth time, defeating Slovakia 2-0 in a thrilling final on Wednesday. Jasmine Paolini secured the decisive win against Rebecca Sramkova with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 performance in the second singles match.
World number four Paolini’s victory followed Lucia Bronzetti’s 6-2, 6-4 triumph over Viktoria Hruncakova, giving Italy an unassailable lead. This victory marks Italy’s first Billie Jean King Cup title since 2013, after finishing as runners-up last year.
The 28-year-old Paolini capped off a remarkable year, having also reached the finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Her match against Sramkova showcased her impressive form, breaking serve multiple times and sealing the win in just over an hour.
Slovakia, champions in 2002, had never lost a Billie Jean King Cup tie in Spain until now. Despite a stunning run to the final, defeating teams like the USA, Australia, and Great Britain, they couldn’t overcome Italy’s strong lineup.
Italy’s triumph in Malaga not only highlights their dominance in women’s tennis but also sets the stage for an exciting season ahead.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
