In a thrilling final held in Malaga, Spain, Italy clinched the Billie Jean King Cup for the fifth time, defeating Slovakia 2-0. The Italian team’s victory was spearheaded by the impressive performances of Lucia Bronzetti and Jasmine Paolini in the singles matches.
Bronzetti set the tone for Italy with a commanding 6-2, 6-4 victory over Slovakia’s Viktoria Hruncakova. Ranked 78th in the world, Bronzetti executed a brilliant game plan, moving her opponent around the court and securing three breaks in the first set. Despite Hruncakova’s resilience, Bronzetti maintained her composure and sealed the match with a powerful forehand.
Following Bronzetti’s win, Paolini delivered a dominant performance, defeating Rebecca Sramkova 6-2, 6-1 to secure the tie. Ranked 4th globally, Paolini showcased her exceptional form, breaking Sramkova’s serve early in both sets and never looking back. This victory capped a remarkable year for Paolini, who reached the finals at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Italy’s triumph marks their first Billie Jean King Cup title since 2013, and it is a testament to the team’s determination and skill. The victory also highlights the significant progress made by players like Paolini, who has had a breakthrough season.
The Italian team, led by captain Tathiana Garbin, overcame formidable opponents such as Poland and Japan on their path to the final. The win is a momentous occasion for Italian tennis and a celebration of the country’s rich tennis heritage.
As the team celebrates their hard-earned victory, fans and players alike look forward to future successes on the international stage. Italy’s performance in the Billie Jean King Cup final is a reminder of the power of teamwork, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.
The moment they’ve been looking forward to (image) #BJKCup | @federtennis pic.twitter.com/n8VtYIUUwN
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) November 20, 2024
Jasmine Paolini in 2024
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Ranked no.4 (career-high), Paolini played her last match on the 20th of November when she defeated world no.43 Rebecca Sramkova 6-2 6-1 in the Final of the BJK Cup.
Presently, during this year the Italian achieved a compiled 42-21 record. The Italian has won 1 title in Dubai. Paolini was the finalist at the French Open and Wimbledon.