Paolini helps Italy defend BJK Cup title against US

With a 2-0 victory over the United States, Italy defended their Billie Jean King Cup title.

In Shenzhen, the world no. 8 won the title game with a 6-4, 6-2 victory, putting Italy on pace for its sixth title.

Paolini has lost just one of her previous ten matches in the BJK Cup, which means she is undefeated in singles and doubles this year.

The 29-year-old led the Italian team to their first title in 11 years last year when they defeated Slovakia in a match that ended in 2023.

Paolini remarked, “I didn’t expect it, it’s amazing.”

“It’s been a really enjoyable week, and it’s amazing to compete in this.”

Italy’s first point was already on the board when it defeated Emma Navarro 6-4, 6-4. World number 91 Elisabetta Cocciaretto.

In just one and a half hours and 19 minutes, the 24-year-old battled from 4-2 down in the second set to defeat Navarro, the world’s 18th-ranked player.

The United States were hoping to win their 19th title in their first final since 2018 when they defeated Great Britain on Saturday in the semi-finals.

Paolini won Olympic doubles gold in 2025, but her success rate has decreased since 2024, when she reached two Grand Slam singles finals.

Before the quarter-finals, she failed to win any of her four Grand Slams in singles, but she triumphed in front of a cheery home crowd in Rome’s WTA 1000 competition. At the French Open, she and compatriot Sara Errani also won the women’s doubles competition.

However, Paolini has always excelled playing for her country, and this year no exception.

In a tense opening set, Paolini saved three break points, including four, before clinching the set two games later, despite the fact that she had little to lose to Pegula, the seventh-ranked player.

Pegula threatened to make a comeback in set two when she broke the Italian, but the error count quickly increased and she became frustrated as she racquet-stretched and berating herself between points.

Paolini served the match with a 5-1 lead before Pegula saved three match points to keep the match alive.