Paolini Helps Italy Beat China and Reach Billie Jean King Cup Semifinals
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
SHENZHEN: Jasmine Paolini produced a strong performance in both singles and doubles as Italy defeated hosts China 2-1 in the Billie Jean King Cup quarter-final on Thursday.
The victory kept Italy’s title defence on track and earned the team a place in the semi-finals, where it will face Ukraine on Saturday.
China took an early lead after Zhang Shuai defeated Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-0, 6-2 in just 62 minutes.
Paolini then levelled the tie with a straight-sets victory over Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen.
The Italian won 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) to force the decisive doubles match. It was Paolini’s first victory over Zheng in four meetings.
Zheng had an opportunity to extend the contest after breaking Paolini while she was serving for the match in the second set. She also made a strong start in the tiebreak, but Paolini recovered to close out the match.
The win was Paolini’s ninth consecutive singles victory in the Billie Jean King Cup.
Paolini and Errani Seal the Tie
Paolini returned to the court around three hours later alongside Sara Errani for the deciding doubles match.
The Italian pair defeated China’s Guo Hanyu and Jiang Xinyu 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in a match that finished shortly before 1am.
Both teams faced difficulties on serve, but Paolini and Errani relied on their established partnership to overcome the Chinese challenge.
The Italian duo have also enjoyed major success together in recent years, including Olympic gold and a Roland Garros title.
Italy’s victory sets up a semi-final against Ukraine.
Ukraine Defeat Belgium
Earlier, Ukraine secured their second successive Billie Jean King Cup semi-final appearance after defeating Belgium 2-1.
Anhelina Kalinina played a central role in the victory, winning her singles match before returning to the court for the deciding doubles encounter.
Kalinina opened the tie with a 6-7 (6-8), 6-1, 6-1 win over Belgium’s Jana Otzipka.
Belgium then levelled the contest when Greet Minnen defeated Ukraine’s world number seven Elina Svitolina 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-4 in a match lasting two hours and 47 minutes.
Kalinina and Lyudmyla Kichenok settled the tie in the doubles, defeating Magali Kempen and Lara Salden 6-3, 6-3.
Ukraine will now continue their campaign in the semi-finals, while Italy and Ukraine are set to meet in the last four.
