The Italy tennis staff celebrates on the rostrum after successful the Billie Jean King Cup closing in opposition to Slovakia on the Martin Carpena Sports activities Corridor in Malaga, southern Spain, on Wednesday (November 20, 2024).
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Italy received the Billie Jean King Cup for the fifth time as Jasmine Paolini beat Rebecca Sramkova to safe a dominant 2-0 win over Slovakia on Wednesday (November 20, 2024).
World quantity 4 Paolini triumphed 6-2, 6-1 within the second singles rubber to comply with up Lucia Bronzetti’s 6-2, 6-4 victory in opposition to Viktoria Hruncakova.
Italy have been runners-up to Canada in final yr’s closing however went one higher in Malaga to change into world champions for the primary time since 2013.
The victory capped a surprising yr for Paolini who completed as runner-up at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
“Unbelievable yr, unbelievable, to complete like this with the Billie Jean King Cup; it’s wonderful; I don’t have phrases to explain it,” stated Paolini.
“I’m attempting simply to get pleasure from it; it’s necessary to know the place you might be. I really feel fortunate to be on this place. I really feel fortunate to be a part of this staff… I’m actually completely satisfied that this yr we may convey the trophy dwelling once more,” she added.
Slovakia, who received the competitors in 2002, had by no means misplaced a BJK Cup tie in Spain.
The underdogs defeated USA, Australia and Nice Britain on a surprising run to this yr’s closing, however Bronzetti breezed previous Hruncakova in below 90 minutes.
The in-form Sramkova, ranked forty third, survived two break factors to carry for 2-2 within the first set however the superior Paolini broke for a 4-2 lead, which she consolidated.
The Slovakian double faulted at hand Paolini two set factors and the Italian took the primary of them when Sramkova slapped a shot into the online.
Paolini broke within the second recreation of the second set and it appeared like she would possibly energy to victory with out a combat, however Sramkova instantly hit again to get again on serve.
Sramkova defeated Danielle Collins, Ajla Tomljanovic and Katie Boulter on Slovakia’s cost to the ultimate however Paolini was a bridge too far.
The 28-year-old Italian restored her benefit with a fizzing forehand to maneuver 3-1 forward after which consolidated.
Having spent most of her profession outdoors the highest 50, 2024 has been an enormous leap ahead for Paolini.
She broke once more when Sramkova went lengthy and served it out to seal an emphatic victory in a single hour and 5 minutes.
“I really feel so unhappy now, dissatisfied, however all respect to (Italy) for what they did,” a deflated Sramkova advised reporters. “Perhaps in just a few days we’ll get pleasure from that we’re second and take one thing for the longer term from these matches,” she added.
‘Dream come true’
Within the first match world quantity 78 Bronzetti denied the skilled Hruncakova the possibility to make use of her energy and compelled her opponent to maneuver across the court docket.
“I’m very proud to be right here to symbolize Italy, and I’m so completely satisfied for this win,” stated Bronzetti. “(The plan was) to hit the ball, keep stable and attempt to transfer her after I had the possibility.”
Bronzetti secured three breaks within the first set, conceding only one in her first service recreation as she hit her stride.
Hruncakova, ranked 159th, battled gamely within the second set, breaking for a 4-2 lead, however the Italian instantly hit again, successful the final 4 video games to triumph.
Bronzetti sealed her victory serving to like when the Slovakian despatched a return lengthy earlier than Paolini completed the job for Italy.
“For now the feelings are a bit bit unhappy, however we have to take a look at the entire image, and what we did right here was really wonderful,” stated Hruncakova.
“Earlier than the match, if somebody advised this to us, we’d be thrilled.”
Italy, captained by Tathiana Garbin, defeated Iga Swiatek’s Poland in addition to Japan on the finals on the way in which to successful the match dubbed the ‘World Cup of Tennis’.
“It’s a dream come true… I’m so pleased with the (gamers), they combat every single day, and this journey was unimaginable,” stated Garbin. “(They) by no means quit and stayed targeted on the purpose they usually nonetheless maintain attempting to work to be higher individuals and gamers.”
Printed – November 22, 2024 02:00 am IST
