Jasmine Paolini leads Italy to fifth Billie Jean King Cup title

Italy won the Billie Jean King Cup for the fifth time as Jasmine Paolini beat Rebecca Schramkova to wrap up an impressive 2-0 win over Slovakia on Wednesday. World number four Paolini won the second singles match 6-2, 6-1, followed by Lucia Bronzetti with a 6-2, 6-4 win against Victoria Hrunkova. Italy had finished runner-up to Canada in last year's final, but went one better in Málaga to become world champions for the first time since 2013.

The victory capped a stellar year for Paolini who finished runner-up at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

“Incredible year, unbelievable, to end like this with the Billie Jean King Cup, it's amazing, I don't have words to describe it,” Paolini said.

“I'm just trying to enjoy it, it's important to understand where you are, I feel fortunate to be in this position, I feel fortunate to be a part of this team…

“I'm really happy that we could bring home the trophy again this year.”

Slovakia, which won the competition in 2002, had never lost a BJK Cup tie in Spain.

The underdogs performed brilliantly in this year's final, defeating the United States, Australia and Great Britain, but Bronzetti easily defeated Hrunkova in less than 90 minutes.

The in-form 43rd ranked Shramkova saved two break points in the first set to take a 2-2 lead, but the superior Paolini broke the break point to take a 4-2 lead, which she strengthened.

The Slovakian double faulted to give Paolini two set points and the Italian took the first of them when Shramkova fired a shot into the net.

Paolini was broken in the second game of the second set and it looked like she might win without a fight, but Shramkova quickly got back on serve.

Sramkova defeated Danielle Collins, Ajla Tomljanovic and Katie Boulter in the Slovakian final but Paolini was too far away.

The 28-year-old Italian restored his lead to 3-1 with a brilliant forehand and then consolidated it.

After spending most of his career outside the top 50, 2024 has been a huge leap forward for Paolini.

She broke again when Shramkova went the long distance and won convincingly in one hour and five minutes.

“I am very sad now, disappointed, but I completely respect (Italy) for what they did,” Shramkova told reporters.

“Maybe in a few days we will enjoy that we are in second place and take something from those matches for the future.”

– 'dream come true' –

In the first match, world number 78 Bronzetti did not give the experienced Hrunkova a chance to use her strength and forced her opponent to move around the court.

“I'm very proud to be here, to represent Italy, and I'm very happy with this win,” said Bronzetti.

“(The plan was to) hit the ball, stay solid and try to move it when we got the opportunity.”

Bronzetti had three breaks in the first set, whereas in her first service game she had only one break.

Hrunkova, ranked 159, fought brilliantly in the second set and took a 4-2 lead, but the Italian immediately hit back and won the last four games.

Bronzetti sealed his victory by serving to love when the Slovakian hit back long before Paolini finished the job for Italy.

“At the moment the emotions are a little sad but we need to look at the whole picture and what we did here was really amazing,” Hrunkakova said.

“If someone had told us this before the tournament we would have been thrilled.”

Italy, captained by Tathiana Garbin, defeated Iga Swiatek's Poland as well as Japan in the final on their way to winning the tournament known as the 'World Tennis Cup'.

“It's a dream come true… I'm so proud of (the players), they fight every day and this journey was incredible,” Garbin said.

“(He) never gives up and stays focused on his goals and still tries to work on becoming a better person and player.”