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Italy successfully defended its Billie Jean King Cup crown on Sunday in Shenzhen, sealing the title with a commanding 2-0 win over the United States. The Italian squad was anchored by the reliable play of Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Jasmine Paolini, who delivered straight-set victories in the singles rubbers to secure the nation’s second consecutive triumph in the competition.
Americans Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro had mounted gritty comebacks in the semifinal stage against Great Britain, overturning early deficits to push their team into the championship round. However, they found no way through the relentless energy and consistency of the Italians.
World No. 91 Cocciaretto set the tone for the reigning champions, defeating Navarro 6-4 6-4 in the opening match at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center Arena. World No. 8 Paolini then delivered the decisive blow with a convincing 6-4 6-2 victory over seventh-ranked Pegula.
After the final, Navarro praised Cocciaretto’s aggressive style, acknowledging how difficult it was to find breathing room in their rallies. “She’s tough. She plays right up on the baseline and rushes you as much as she can. Kind of suffocates you sort of in the rallies,” Navarro said.
Pegula reflected on her missed opportunities in the opening set against Paolini, admitting that failing to capitalize proved decisive. “I felt like in the first, I felt like I kind of had the edge for most of the set,” the American said. “But it’s tennis and unfortunately that doesn’t always mean that you win the set.”
The victory marked Italy’s third consecutive appearance in the final and its sixth Billie Jean King Cup title overall. For the United States, the runner-up finish represented its deepest run in the competition since 2018. The American team will next compete in a home-and-away qualifier in 2026 against an opponent and at a location to be determined.
