Jasmine Paolini’s Italy reached their second straight Billie Jean King Cup last with a 2-1 win over Poland, given a glimmer of hope by five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek.
World quantity 4 Paolini and accomplice Sara Errani cruised to a 7-5 7-5 doubles win in opposition to Swiatek and Katarzyna Kawa after a shocking second-set comeback in Malaga.
Twelve months in the past, four-time champions Italy have been overwhelmed within the BJK Cup last by Canada.
They are going to discover their last opponents of 2024 on Tuesday, when Nice Britain face Slovakia within the second semi-final (11:00 GMT).
“It was powerful in the present day,” stated Paolini, 28. “The depth was loopy.
“You must give the whole lot for Italy, for my workforce. I’ve gained power and I’m very blissful.”
World quantity 78 Lucia Bronzetti was Italy’s first seed, defeating Poland’s Magda Linette – ranked 40 locations increased – in straight units.
His 6-4 7-6 (7-3) victory paved the best way for Paolini, who needed to beat Swiatek for the primary time.
However whereas Paolini received the opening set, the primary of 4 conferences with the Polish world quantity two, Swiatek prevailed 3-6 6-4 6-4 to ship the tie to a decider.
Paolini and Errani, who received doubles gold on the Paris Olympics this summer time, saved three factors earlier than breaking the Poles’ serve and holding the opener.
After being damaged within the first sport of the second set, Swiatek and Kawa received 5 video games in a row to guide 5-1. An equalizer seemed sure, however the Italians had different concepts.
In addition they left 5 video games with an opportunity to play a sport, and with it, a spot within the finals.
They did it the primary time round, sparking massive workforce celebrations in blue.
The 2024 BJK Cup champions will probably be topped on Wednesday evening, with the ultimate kicking off at 16:00 GMT.
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