Paolini assures Italy a sixth BJK Cup trophy

Jasmine Paolini won her fourth match of the week on Sunday to hand holder Italy a sixth team title at the BJK Cup with a 2-0 Sunday defeat of the US in Shenzhen

The two-time Grand Slam finalist ranked eighth, closed the door on the Americans with her 6-4, 6-2 defeat of Jessica Pegula in the final.

Teammate Elisabeta Cocciaretto got the final day started, defeating Emma Navarro 6-4, 6-4.

The weekend win gives the Italians a sixth title in the team competition from the past 19 editions, as they defended the 2024 crown.

Team member Sara Errani, now concentrating on doubles at age 38, has played on five different title-winning teams, with her first success coming in 2009 – well over a decade and a half since her first trophy performance.

Paolini won her opening set against Pegula and took a 5-1 lead in the second, but was broken for 5-2 after wasting three match point chances

Moments later,she broke Pegula back to clinch victory.

Cocciaretto stunned 18th-ranked Navarra in 89 minutes to set the stage for her teammate to finish the job.“It was an unbelievable match for me,” Cocciaretto said. “I knew I had to play my best tennis. I’m really happy about the performance and the point that I gave to Italy.”