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 the US 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 towards Emma Navarro, breaking her serve 3 times on the Shenzhen Bay Sports activities Heart Area in Shenzhen, China.
Paolini broke Pegula’s serve with a two-handed backhand down the road to take the primary set. However with Paolini serving for the match at 5-1, she wavered a bit of. Pegula saved three match factors, after which two unforced errors from Paolini allowed Pegula to interrupt again to 5-2 down.
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A powerful looping forehand gave Paolini — the runner-up on the French Open and Wimbledon final 12 months — a fourth match level, and she or he took it, clinching victory when Pegula’s two-handed backhand clipped the web and landed extensive.
Paolini raised her arms within the air then walked over to hug her teammates. All of the employees members joined them on the courtroom as they danced in a circle earlier than celebrating with blue-shirted, flag-waving Italy followers.
“It is an unbelievable feeling,” Paolini mentioned. “At present was a very robust match. We’re actually comfortable and pleased with ourselves, of our group. It is an amazing day for Italy.”
Pegula and Navarro every got here from a set all the way down to defeat Britain and attain the ultimate.
However not this time.
Italy boasted a doubles pairing of Olympic champions Paolini and Sara Errani, who additionally gained the French Open doubles collectively this 12 months. They might have confronted Pegula and top-ranked doubles participant Taylor Townsend in what might need been an thrilling trophy decider.
The BJK Cup was previously often called the Fed Cup. America is probably the most profitable group as an 18-time winner however has not held the title since 2017.
“Clearly we’re disenchanted with the way it went,” U.S. captain Lindsay Davenport mentioned. “We felt like we had an amazing alternative, however man, each of these girls performed nice tennis. Congratulations to them.
“We’ll simply hold attempting. We’ll get one other probability hopefully subsequent 12 months to be again right here.”
Italy was contesting its third straight remaining and clinched its sixth title. The People’ earlier remaining got here in 2018.
The Related Press and PA contributed to this report.
