Billie Jean King Cup: Italy Defeats Iga Swiatek’s Poland to Reach Final

Italy secured a spot in the Billie Jean King Cup final for the second year in a row with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Iga Swiatek’s Poland on Monday in Malaga.

Despite Swiatek’s comeback win over Jasmine Paolini in her singles match, the Italians managed to clinch victory in the decisive doubles match. Paolini, alongside veteran Sara Errani, defeated Swiatek and Katarzyna Kawa 7-5, 7-5, propelling the four-time champions into Wednesday’s final.

Great Britain will take on Slovakia in the second semi-final on Tuesday.

Italy began the day strong with Lucia Bronzetti’s 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) win against Magda Linette in the opening singles match. Swiatek then engaged in a grueling battle with Paolini, eventually triumphing 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a match that lasted over two and a half hours.

Paolini expressed her determination despite the tough singles loss, emphasizing her commitment to her team and country. She overcame her disappointment to focus on the doubles match, where she and Errani ultimately prevailed.

Poland, making their first appearance in the semi-finals, fell short as they lost the final six games of the doubles match when it seemed they might push for a tie-break. Swiatek admitted to feeling exhausted after the intense competition.

In the singles opener, Bronzetti outperformed Linette, who fought back from 4-1 down in the second set to force a tie-break, only to falter by hitting the net on match point.

With the pressure on Swiatek, she delivered a thrilling performance. Paolini, who had never won a set against Swiatek in their previous encounters, played with determination from the start. Although Swiatek had defeated Paolini in straight sets at the French Open final earlier this year, she faced a much tougher opponent in Malaga.

Paolini broke Swiatek’s serve twice to take the first set, but Swiatek showed resilience by saving three break points and taking the second set. The final set saw both players exchanging breaks before Swiatek eventually emerged victorious as Paolini’s shot went long. Swiatek’s impressive record of saving 13 of the 16 break points she faced highlighted her strength in crucial moments.

Swiatek acknowledged the challenge, noting her energy levels dipped in the second set, but she managed to rally back, emphasizing the importance of perseverance.

In the doubles decider, Errani and Paolini broke Swiatek and Kawa’s serve to take the first set. Despite Poland’s strong start in the second set, leading 5-1, the Italian pair mounted a remarkable comeback, winning six consecutive games to secure the match when Swiatek overhit a forehand.

Errani, known for her underarm serve, expressed satisfaction with their performance, highlighting the strategic use of her serve under pressure. She praised the team’s effort, particularly given the long and challenging day.

The victory sets up Italy for a chance to claim the Billie Jean King Cup title, continuing their impressive run in the competition.