Jasmine Paolini and Lucia Bronzetti lead Italy to a record fifth Billie Jean King Cup title

Italy are now officially the current title holders of two contintental tournaments i.e. Billie Jean King Cup and the Davis Cup.

Jasmine Paolini and Lucia Bronzetti lead Italy to a record fifth Billie Jean King Cup title

Italy won the Billie Jean King Cup (via X)

Italy claimed its fifth Billie Jean King Cup title and its first since 2013. In the final, held on Wednesday (November 20) in Malaga, Spain, it defeated Slovakia 2-0 (4-0 in sets).

Lucia Bronzetti gave Italy an early lead with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Viktoria Hruncakova in the first match. Bronzetti, ranked World No. 78, needed 1 hour and 21 minutes to beat Hruncakova, a former Top 50 player now ranked No. 238.

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World No. 4 Jasmine Paolini secured the trophy for Italy in the second match. She defeated Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova, ranked No. 43, with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 victory. Paolini, a WTA Player of the Year nominee, needed just 65 minutes to finish the match.

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This victory cements Italy’s position as a powerhouse in the Billie Jean King Cup. They have won titles in 2006, 2009, 2010, and 2013. Italy also improved on last year’s result, where they were runners-up to Canada, and beat Slovakia for the second consecutive year after defeating them in last year’s qualifiers.

Jasmine Paolini and Lucia Bronzetti make Italian history

Lucia Bronzetti had a solid start for Italy in Wednesday’s opening match. She converted three of her five break points to take the first set comfortably. In the second set, Viktoria Hruncakova fought back from an early break and led 4-2, 40-15. However, Bronzetti raised her level, winning the final four games in a row to seal the match.

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Jasmine Paolini at 2024 US Open (Image via US Open)

Jasmine Paolini then stepped onto the court to secure the title. The 28-year-old has had an incredible year, reaching the Roland Garros and Wimbledon finals, winning the WTA 1000 Dubai, and claiming Olympic doubles gold with teammate Sara Errani.

Rebecca Sramkova, who has also had a strong season with her first WTA singles title and two runner-up finishes, started well. However, Paolini took charge midway through the first set. Her powerful forehands earned her a break at 4-2, and a precise backhand put her ahead 5-2.

Paolini won six consecutive games to lead 6-2, 2-0. Although Sramkova broke back with a sharp backhand down the line, Paolini quickly recovered. She unleashed her signature forehands to dominate the rest of the match and secure Italy’s victory.