The Billie Jean King Cup Finals commenced in Shenzhen, China, with defending champions Italy successfully overcoming the home team to secure a place in the semi-finals. In a gripping showcase of resilience, Italy achieved a 2-0 victory over China, winning both singles matches.
Italian No. 1 Jasmine Paolini expressed her relief and excitement after the matches, saying, “It was a really tough day. Both of us were close to losing our matches, but we turned things around. We fought until the last point.” Paolini emphasized the importance of their performance for their country, adding, “We are really happy and proud of ourselves.”
This quarter-final marked the first encounter between Italy and China in the Billie Jean King Cup over the last 18 years. Despite the considerable pressure as reigning champions, the home favorites, represented by Yuan Yue and Wang Xinyu, showcased commendable spirit and determination, supported by a raucous local crowd.
In the opening match, Elisabetta Cocciaretto faced Yuan Yue, ranked 102nd in the world. After losing the first set 6-4, Cocciaretto found herself trailing 5-2 in the second before mounting an incredible comeback. She won the next five games to claim the set 7-5, shifting the momentum in favor of Italy. The two battled through an intense final set, with Cocciaretto again demonstrating her tenacity by overcoming a 0-4 deficit to win 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 over a grueling 2 hours and 52 minutes. “Something changed in my mind,” Cocciaretto reflected. “I told myself to be aggressive and play my best.”
Jasmine Paolini’s match against Wang Xinyu, ranked 34th, also proved to be a nail-biter. Wang took the first set 6-4 and served for the match leading 5-3 in the second. However, Paolini, ranked 8th in the world, showcased her fighting spirit by breaking back and forcing a tiebreaker, which she won to level the match. In a thrilling third set, Paolini broke Wang early but then fell behind 2-4. In a remarkable display of determination, she turned the tide once again, claiming the final set 6-4 and securing Italy’s place in the semi-finals.
Paolini reflected on her experience, saying, “When I was 6-4, 5-3 down, I thought about Elisabetta’s match. You never know what can happen. We both stayed focused until the last point.”
The defeat was a bitter pill for China, who fought valiantly but fell just short of victory. Wang Xinyu acknowledged the crowd’s support, saying, “The welcome from the local fans was special. I’m grateful for everyone who came out. I can’t wait for my next opportunity to play here.”
With Italy advancing to the semi-finals, they will face the winner of the upcoming match between Spain and Ukraine. This victory marks Italy’s third consecutive appearance in the final four of the tournament.
Looking ahead, Kazakhstan will face the United States, while Great Britain takes on Japan in the remaining quarter-finals. As the tournament progresses, the global interest in the Billie Jean King Cup continues to grow, showcased through broadcasts reaching fans worldwide. This year’s event has taken place in Shenzhen, striving to highlight elite women’s tennis during the Asian hard court season while breaking from its traditional November scheduling.
As teams compete in this prestigious knockout format, the anticipation builds for the final stages of the tournament, promising more thrilling tennis action as the world’s top players vie for the coveted title.
