An inspired Italy successfully defended their Billie Jean King Cup with a 2-0 victory over record 18-times champions the US on Sunday, taking their own tally in the premier women’s team competition to six titles.
Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Jasmine Paolini both won their singles matches to help their country triumph in Shenzhen and prolonged the American wait for another title after their previous success in 2017.
“It’s been a really great week and it’s always amazing to play in this competition … I just want to thank everybody, it was unbelievable,” a beaming Paolini said.
“It was so tough, this year we played amazing teams, they are very strong and today against the United States, we didn’t expect to win so we’re really happy about this win.
“I don’t know, it’s even more special this year than last year. It’s different, but honestly I didn’t expect it.”
World number eight Paolini’s 6-4 6-2 victory was her maiden win in her sixth clash with Jessica Pegula and helped Italy become the first team to capture back-to-back titles since the Czech Republic lifted three straight trophies from 2014-16.
The 29-year-old edged a tight first set by firing a backhand rocket that broke the seventh-ranked Pegula’s serve and she came from an early break down in the next set to quell the challenge of her American opponent after a late wobble.
She celebrated her win by raising her arms and joined her team in dancing in the centre of the blue court to roaring applause from largely Italian and Chinese fans.
Earlier, Cocciaretto ensured that Italy shot out of the blocks by swatting aside world number 18 Emma Navarro 6-4 6-4, with the 24-year-old finishing off in style by winning a breathtaking rally on matchpoint.
Italy’s sixth Billie Jean King Cup title comes amid a golden spell for the country, with the men’s team claiming the previous two Davis Cup trophies and their players enjoying success at the Grand Slam and Olympic level.
Swiatek wins Korea Open title: Iga Swiatek battled back from a disastrous start to win the Korea Open on Sunday, beating Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova 1-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 in the final.
The world number two dropped the opening set after an error-strewn performance drastically out of keeping with her dominating form this week in Seoul.
World number 11 Alexandrova was two points away from winning the title but Swiatek came back to level the match after a tiebreak before finding her rhythm in the third set.
The win gave the Polish six-time Grand Slam champion her third title of the season and her first ever in the South Korean capital.
Swiatek’s father Tomasz competed in rowing at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and she said she was “happy that I could win here because of the family history”.
“My dad couldn’t win the Olympics but at least I won this tournament,” said the 24-year-old.
“Hopefully he’s going to come next year to enjoy everything.”
Top seed Swiatek breezed her way into the final, winning back-to-back games on Saturday in a combined time of two and a half hours.
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