Tennis: Billie Jean King Cup Finals 2025: Italy beat USA 2

Italy retained their title at the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup finals in Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China on Sunday (21 September).

No doubles rubber was required as Italy defeated the United States 2-0 thanks to respective singles wins for Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Jasmine Paolini over Emma Navarro and Jessica Pegula.

Despite her world ranking of 91, Cocciaretto stunned Navarro in the opening match 6-4, 6-4 with Billie Jean King watching on. She was on the front foot from the start and broke her opponent's serve in the very first game. The Italian underdog was enjoying the better of the protracted rallies, striking the ball early, with Navarro looking slightly underpowered.

In the second set, Navarro's defensive qualities were to the fore as she broke to lead 4-2. But Cocciaretto broke straight back and a backhand down the line saw her break again for a 5-4 lead.

Serving for the match, the 24-year-old hit a forehand pass to bring up match point. Navarro saved the first, but not the second as Cocciaretto gleefully celebrated an upset victory.

The second rubber saw world No.8 Paolini take on the woman ranked one place above her. In a tight first set, Paolini had to dig deep to save three break points before holding for 5-4. She soon brought up a set point on the Pegula serve and converted it with a backhand down the line.

Pegula broke serve at the start of the second set, but the 29-year-old broke back immediately to love. Paolini upped the intensity from there on, finding the lines and giving her opponent no chance to settle. She jumped out into a 5-1 lead and to the brink of victory.

However, she could not close it out with Pegula saving three match points before sealing the break. But it was only delaying the inevitable as a Pegula backhand clipped the net and landed out to hand Paolini victory 6-4, 6-2.

That secured Italy the title without Paolini needing to team up with Sara Errani in the doubles. They are now on six titles, still some way behind the USA's record tally of 18.

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