Defending champions Italy secured a spot in the Billie Jean King Cup semifinals with a decisive 2-0 victory over host nation China in Shenzhen on Tuesday. The win, fueled by dramatic comebacks from Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Jasmine Paolini, highlighted Italy's resilience in the prestigious women's team tennis competition.
Cocciaretto faced a tough challenge in the opening singles match against China's Yuan Yue, who dominated early with a 6-4 first-set win. The Italian, however, staged a stunning turnaround, clawing back from a 5-3 deficit in the second set to claim five consecutive games. Yuan, unbeaten in her seven previous Billie Jean King Cup matches since her 2022 debut, surged to a 4-0 lead in the decisive third set. But Cocciaretto's experience shone through as she rallied once more to clinch the set 7-5, securing Italy's first point.
Paolini sealed Italy's victory with a commanding performance in the second singles match, solidifying the team's path to the semifinals. The result underscores Italy's growing prominence in international tennis and sets the stage for a high-stakes clash in the next round.
