The Italy tennis workforce celebrates on the rostrum after profitable the Billie Jean King Cup last in opposition to Slovakia on the Martin Carpena Sports activities Corridor in Malaga, southern Spain, on Wednesday (November 20, 2024).
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Italy gained the Billie Jean King Cup for the fifth time as Jasmine Paolini beat Rebecca Sramkova to safe a dominant 2-0 win over Slovakia on Wednesday (November 20, 2024).
World quantity 4 Paolini triumphed 6-2, 6-1 within the second singles rubber to comply with up Lucia Bronzetti’s 6-2, 6-4 victory in opposition to Viktoria Hruncakova.
Italy had been runners-up to Canada in final yr’s last however went one higher in Malaga to turn out to be world champions for the primary time since 2013.
The victory capped a shocking yr for Paolini who completed as runner-up at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
“Unbelievable yr, unbelievable, to complete like this with the Billie Jean King Cup; it’s superb; I don’t have phrases to explain it,” stated Paolini.
“I’m making an attempt simply to take pleasure in it; it’s essential to grasp the place you might be. I really feel fortunate to be on this place. I really feel fortunate to be a part of this workforce… I’m actually joyful that this yr we might carry the trophy house once more,” she added.
Slovakia, who gained the competitors in 2002, had by no means misplaced a BJK Cup tie in Spain.
The underdogs defeated USA, Australia and Nice Britain on a shocking run to this yr’s last, however Bronzetti breezed previous Hruncakova in underneath 90 minutes.
The in-form Sramkova, ranked forty third, survived two break factors to carry for 2-2 within the first set however the superior Paolini broke for a 4-2 lead, which she consolidated.
The Slovakian double faulted handy Paolini two set factors and the Italian took the primary of them when Sramkova slapped a shot into the web.
Paolini broke within the second recreation of the second set and it regarded like she would possibly energy to victory and not using a combat, however Sramkova instantly hit again to get again on serve.
Sramkova defeated Danielle Collins, Ajla Tomljanovic and Katie Boulter on Slovakia’s cost to the ultimate however Paolini was a bridge too far.
The 28-year-old Italian restored her benefit with a fizzing forehand to maneuver 3-1 forward after which consolidated.
Having spent most of her profession outdoors the highest 50, 2024 has been an enormous leap ahead for Paolini.
She broke once more when Sramkova went lengthy and served it out to seal an emphatic victory in a single hour and 5 minutes.
“I really feel so unhappy now, upset, however all respect to (Italy) for what they did,” a deflated Sramkova advised reporters. “Possibly in a number of days we are going to take pleasure in that we’re second and take one thing for the long run from these matches,” she added.
‘Dream come true’
Within the first match world quantity 78 Bronzetti denied the skilled Hruncakova the possibility to make use of her energy and compelled her opponent to maneuver across the courtroom.
“I’m very proud to be right here to symbolize Italy, and I’m so joyful for this win,” stated Bronzetti. “(The plan was) to hit the ball, keep strong and attempt to transfer her once I had the possibility.”
Bronzetti secured three breaks within the first set, conceding only one in her first service recreation as she hit her stride.
Hruncakova, ranked 159th, battled gamely within the second set, breaking for a 4-2 lead, however the Italian instantly hit again, profitable the final 4 video games to triumph.
Bronzetti sealed her victory serving to like when the Slovakian despatched a return lengthy earlier than Paolini completed the job for Italy.
“For now the feelings are a bit of bit unhappy, however we have to take a look at the entire image, and what we did right here was really superb,” stated Hruncakova.
“Earlier than the event, if somebody advised this to us, we might be thrilled.”
Italy, captained by Tathiana Garbin, defeated Iga Swiatek’s Poland in addition to Japan on the finals on the best way to profitable the event dubbed the ‘World Cup of Tennis’.
“It’s a dream come true… I’m so pleased with the (gamers), they combat each day, and this journey was unimaginable,” stated Garbin. “(They) by no means surrender and stayed centered on the objective and so they nonetheless preserve making an attempt to work to be higher folks and gamers.”
Printed – November 22, 2024 02:00 am IST
