Jasmine Paolini delivered an exceptional tennis performance to lead Italy to their fifth Billie Jean King Cup victory.
She triumphed over Rebecca Sramkova with a 6-2, 6-1 result in the second singles match, securing a 2-0 win against Slovakia in the final on Wednesday.
Just a year after Italy’s painful loss to Canada in the deciding match and more than ten years since their last championship in 2013, the spirited Paolini overwhelmed Sramkova. She celebrated enthusiastically with her teammates and ecstatic Italian supporters, including men’s world number one, Jannik Sinner.
Slovakia, seen as the underdogs and having surprised Britain en route to the final, struggled against a commanding Italy. The team claimed their first point with Lucia Bronzetti’s impressive 6-2, 6-4 victory over Viktoria Hruncakova in the opening encounter.
“It’s unbelievable, amazing, I don’t have words to describe how I feel right now, it’s just incredible,” an emotional Paolini expressed on court. “I think we played an unbelievable week and I’m so proud of how we did it in every match. I’m very happy that this year we finally were able to bring the title back to Italy,” added the world number four.
Paolini suffered a 6-2, 6-3 loss to Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in last year’s final in Seville. However, this time, the Wimbledon and Roland Garros finalist delivered a strong performance against the 43rd-ranked Sramkova, who persevered despite cramp issues throughout the second set. “I think last year Leylah (Fernandez) was outstanding; she played better than me. That’s how it goes in sports sometimes,” Paolini remarked. “Today, when I stepped onto the court, I promised myself to give my all… Winning is great, but if you lose, you must accept it. We are going to fight for every ball, and today it worked out for us.” Italy’s flawless day began with an exceptional display from 25-year-old Bronzetti, competing in only her second BJK Cup singles match after her debut victory in the semi-final against Poland. Bronzetti was powerful with her serve and overwhelmed Hruncakova in two swift sets that took just an hour and 20 minutes. “I’m incredibly proud to be here representing Italy; I’m thrilled with this win,” Bronzetti expressed.
It may have seemed straightforward, but it was not. Being in the final means every match presents a challenge. I am delighted to have secured a point for Italy. Paolini completed her task even more swiftly, defeating her rival in just an hour.
