By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, September 24, 2026
Picture credit score: World Tennis/Billie Jean King Cup
Overshadowed by a few ball youngsters, 5’4” Jasmine Paolini continues to thrive as an Italian colossus.
Paolini defeated Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 7-6(4) to stage Italy with China in right now’s Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals.
Then Paolini and associate Sara Errani dispatched Guo Hanyu and Jiang Xinyu 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 clinching Italy’s 2-1 victory over host China at Shenzhen Bay Sports activities Centre Enviornment in Shenzhen, China.
On match level, Paolini smacked a forehand down the center ending a two-hour, 14-minute doubles duel in a match that ended at 12:55 a.m. native time.
Defending BJK Cup champion Italy scored its eighth straight win to advance to its fourth consecutive Billie Jean King Cup semifinal with the legendary Corridor of Famer herself in attendance.
“It’s simply wonderful,” Paolini mentioned. “I believe, , once we noticed the draw once more in opposition to China we realized it’s so robust another time to play the house crew.
“It’s all the time robust and this yr it was perhaps even more durable. I believe we did a tremendous job. I believe it was a tremendous present right now. I’m glad. It’s late, however the followers are nonetheless right here. I really feel all of the assist even when we performed in opposition to China—sorry guys.”
Italy will play Ukraine in Saturday’s semifinals. The winner will advance to to the Billie Jean King Cup ultimate on Sunday in opposition to both 11-time champion Czechia or Spain, which can contest its first semifinal in 18 years.
Anhelina Kalinina led Ukraine to a 2-1 quarterfinal win over Belgium. Kalinina rallied previous Jana Otzipka 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-1 within the opening match. After Greet Minnen toppled Elina Svitolina 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4 to stage the tie, Kalinina and Lyudmyla Kichenok defeated Magali Kempen and Lara Salden 6-3, 6-3 to ship Ukraine into the semifinals.
Zhang Shuai throttled Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-0, 6-2 within the opening match, staking China to a 1-0 lead—and setting the stage for Paolini’s heroics.
Two-time Slam finalist Paolini mentioned the key to the two-time defending champion’s success is easy: Present up and struggle exhausting.
“We gained two instances, each time it’s so particular,” Paolini mentioned. “Everytime it’s a pleasure to be right here to struggle for our crew and for our nation.
“I believe our secret is we present up each time. We’re right here combating each ball.”
The Italian duo led by a set and a break at 6-3, 4-2, however the Chinese language aspect responded to the deficit with their most assertive play of the match.
China broke Errani’s serve to get again on serve. Empowered by Jiang’s slick swing volley strikes that break up the protection down the center, China held for its third recreation in a row and a 5-4 lead.
The host aspect have been two factors from forcing a 3rd set, however Paolini stood tall with a agency maintain to stage the second set after 10 video games.
The 28-year-old Guo lofted a rainbow lob that swooned and settled contained in the baseline within the eleventh recreation. Jiang made some excellent stab volleys earlier than Guo crashed web with a backhand drive volley holding for 6-5 and shifting stress proper again on the shoulders of Errani, armed with a wispy first serve and second serve that was principally a bluff.
Sporting a white sleeve on her proper arm, Errani tried the under-arm serve, however Jiang once more answered each problem with a sequence of volleys. Jiang sliced off a smash for double set level.
Guo banged a backhand drive down the road handcuffing a net-rushing Errani as China broke once more to take the second set and ship Shenzhen followers into an eruption of pleasure.
One set would determine the journey to the semifinals.
China had all of the momentum, however Italy pierced that progress instantly. Paolini slid a forehand cross down the road for break level then Jiang dragged a brief forehand extensive as Italy broke for a 1-0 third-set lead 100 minutes into the match.
The Rolex court-side clock confirmed 12:25 a.m. as Jiang throttled a flat forehand strike proper at Errani, who danced out of the best way of the physique blow as China gained triple break level. Paolini was not confronted by her predicament. The previous Wimbledon finalist fought off all three break factors then froze her opponents with a forehand lob that touched the sideline and helped her maintain for 2-0.
Threading the needle with a forehand cross down the road, Jiang earned a break level for China within the sixth recreation. Guo hit a heavy return as China cracked Paolini’s serve for 3-All.
Shaking it off, Italy broke proper again to edge forward 4-3. Underneath duress on serve, Errani once more resorted to the under-arm serve. A artful Errani blocked a backhand volley and tossed in a couple of moonballs someway navigating a tough maintain for 5-3.
Paolini pulverized a forehand return down the road for 15-30 on Jiang’s serve. In a down the road check, Errani induced a netted forehand from Jiang for double match level.
Spinning one ultimate forehand down the center, Paolini accomplished a protracted evening’s journey into the semifinals in a match that ended 5 minutes earlier than the clock struck 1 a.m.
“I couldn’t play my greatest right now,” Errani mentioned. “I attempted to remain there and naturally because of all of our crew and all of our followers to remain right here presently.”
Billie Jean King Cup Quarterfinals
At Shenzhen Bay Sports activities Centre Enviornment, Shenzhen, China
Italy 2, China 1
Match 3: Sara Errani/Jasmine Paolini (ITA) d. Hanyu Guo/Xinyu Jiang (CHN) 6-3, 5-7, 6-3
Match 2: Jasmine Paolini (ITA) d. Qinwen Zheng (CHN) 6-3, 7-6(4)
Match 1: Shuai Zhang (CHN) d. Elisabetta Cocciaretto (ITA) 6-0, 6-2.
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