SHENZHEN, China — Jasmine Paolini beat Jessica Pegula on the fourth match level as defending champion Italy gained the Billie Jean King Cup with a complete victory over america on Sunday.
Italy gained each singles ties in straight units, that means there was no want for a decisive doubles match. The No. 8-ranked Paolini beat seventh-ranked Pegula 6-4, 6-2 after No. 91 Elisabetta Cocciaretto gained 6-4, 6-4 in opposition to Emma Navarro, breaking her serve thrice.
Paolini broke Pegula’s serve with a two-hand backhand down the road to take the primary set and transfer Italy nearer to success on the Shenzhen Bay Sports activities Middle Area in China.
However with Paolini serving for the match at 5-1 she wavered somewhat. Pegula saved three match factors after which two unforced errors from Paolini allowed Pegula to interrupt again to 5-2 down.
A powerful looping forehand gave Paolini — the runner-up on the French Open and Wimbledon final yr — a fourth match level and she or he took it, clinching victory when Pegula’s two-handed backhand clipped the online and landed broad.
Paolini raised her arms within the air, then walked over to hug her teammates. All of the workers members joined them on the courtroom as they danced in a circle earlier than celebrating with blue-shirted, flag-waving Italy followers.
Pegula and Navarro every got here from a set down to defeat Britain and attain the ultimate.
Italy boasted a doubles pairing of Olympic champions Paolini and Sara Errani, who additionally gained the French Open doubles collectively this yr. They’d have confronted Pegula and top-ranked doubles participant Taylor Townsend in what might need been an thrilling trophy decider.
The BJK Cup was previously referred to as the Fed Cup, and america is essentially the most profitable staff as an 18-time winner, however not since 2017.
Italy was contesting its third straight closing and clinched its sixth title. The Individuals’ earlier closing got here in 2018.
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