After wins against the USA, Great Britain, and Australia, it came to a halt for the surprise team Slovakia in the Billie Jean King Cup. Italy proved too strong in the final of tennis's team competition.
After Lucia Bronzetti won 6–2, 6–4 against Viktoria Hruncakova, the Italian world number four Jasmine Paolini could beat Rebecca Sramkova with clear 6–2, 6–1, and Italy got to celebrate a fifth title in Spanish Malaga.
An unlikely year, completely unlikely to end it this way with the Billie Jean King Cup. It's fantastic, I find no words, said Paolini, who this year has reached the final in Grand Slam tournaments Wimbledon and French Championships.
Italy lost the final last year against Canada, but could now win for the first time since 2013. Slovakia won the team competition in 2002.
