Shenzhen in the Chinese mainland 6 Defending champions Italy advanced to the Billie Jean King Cup semifinals with a thrilling 2-0 victory over hosts China on Tuesday. Back-to-back comeback wins from Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Jasmine Paolini stole the show, highlighting Italys championship pedigree.
The tie opened with a dramatic singles match between Cocciaretto and Chinas rising star, Yuan Yue. After dropping the first set 6-4, Cocciaretto rallied from 5-3 down to level the second set at 7-5. Yuan, unbeaten in seven previous Cup matches, surged to a 4-0 lead in the decider, only to see Cocciaretto mount a stunning fightback, clinching the final set 7-5 and giving Italy a 1-0 edge.
Fueled by that momentum, Jasmine Paolini delivered a composed performance in the second singles, efficiently closing out her match in straight sets to seal the tie. The result underscores Italys depth and resilience as they chase a fourth Cup title.
With this win, Italy will face their semifinal opponent later this week, keeping fans worldwide on the edge of their seats as the hunt for the coveted trophy heats up.
Reference(s):
Italy defeat hosts China to advance to Billie Jean King Cup semifinals
cgtn.com
