Jasmine Paolini delivered a brilliant performance to guide Italy to their fifth Billie Jean King Cup title, defeating Slovakia 2-0 in the final on Wednesday. Paolini overwhelmed Rebecca Sramkova 6-2, 6-1 in the second singles match to secure Italy’s victory, bringing the coveted trophy back to Italy for the first time since 2013.
A year after Italy’s heartbreaking loss to Canada in the final, Paolini’s commanding win ensured a jubilant celebration with her teammates and ecstatic Italian supporters, including men’s world number one Jannik Sinner. Italy’s dominance was evident throughout the day, as Lucia Bronzetti opened the tie with a dominant 6-2, 6-4 win over Viktoria Hruncakova in the first singles rubber.
“It’s unbelievable, amazing—I don’t have words to describe how I feel right now,” Paolini said after her victory. “We played an unbelievable week, and I’m so proud of how we did it in every match. I’m very happy we were able to bring the title back to Italy.”
This victory marks a triumphant return for Paolini, who had fallen short in last year’s final to Canada’s Leylah Fernandez. In 2023, Paolini had lost 6-2, 6-3 to Fernandez, but this time, she produced an impeccable performance against Sramkova, ranked 43rd in the world. Sramkova struggled with cramps during the second set, but Paolini’s relentless play proved too much to overcome.
Paolini reflected on her past defeat, saying, “Last year Leylah played really well, better than me, and that’s how sports go. Today, I told myself to give 100%. If you win, you win, but if you lose, you accept it and fight for every point.”
Bronzetti, 25, also played a crucial role in Italy’s victory. The rising star, in only her second Billie Jean King Cup singles match, dispatched Hruncakova with ease in just one hour and 20 minutes. “It wasn’t as easy as it might have looked,” Bronzetti said. “We’re in the final, so every match is tough. I’m really proud to represent Italy and so happy to earn that first point for our team.”
Paolini capped off the perfect day for Italy with her swift, one-hour triumph, ensuring her team’s fifth Billie Jean King Cup title.
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