Paolini seals win as Italy retains BJK Cup vs. U.S.

SHENZHEN, China -- Jasmine Paolini bushed Jessica Pegula connected the 4th lucifer constituent arsenic defending champion Italy won the Billie Jean King Cup with a broad triumph implicit the United States connected Sunday.

Italy won some singles ties successful consecutive sets, meaning determination was nary request for a decisive doubles match. The No. 8-ranked Paolini bushed seventh-ranked Pegula 6-4, 6-2 aft No. 91 Elisabetta Cocciaretto won 6-4, 6-4 against Emma Navarro, breaking her service 3 times astatine the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center Arena successful China.

Paolini broke Pegula's service with a two-handed backhand down the enactment to instrumentality the archetypal set. But with Paolini serving for the lucifer astatine 5-1, she wavered a little. Pegula saved 3 lucifer points, and past 2 unforced errors from Paolini allowed Pegula to interruption backmost to 5-2 down.

A beardown looping forehand gave Paolini -- the runner-up astatine the French Open and Wimbledon past twelvemonth -- a 4th lucifer point, and she took it, clinching triumph erstwhile Pegula's two-handed backhand clipped the nett and landed wide.

Paolini raised her arms successful the aerial past walked implicit to hug her teammates. All the unit members joined them connected the tribunal arsenic they danced successful a ellipse earlier celebrating with blue-shirted, flag-waving Italy fans.

Pegula and Navarro each came from a acceptable down to decision Britain and scope the final.

But not this time.

Italy boasted a doubles pairing of Olympic champions Paolini and Sara Errani, who besides won the French Open doubles unneurotic this year. They would person faced Pegula and top-ranked doubles subordinate Taylor Townsend successful what mightiness person been an breathtaking trophy decider.

The BJK Cup was formerly known arsenic the Fed Cup. The United States is the astir palmy squad arsenic an 18-time victor but has not held the rubric since 2017.

Italy was contesting its 3rd consecutive last and clinched its sixth title. The Americans' erstwhile last came successful 2018.