Italy Retains Billie Jean King Cup with 2-0 Win over USA

Italy successfully defended their Billie Jean King Cup title by defeating the United States 2-0 in the final held in Shenzhen, marking their second consecutive win and sixth overall championship in the competition. Elisabetta Cocciaretto upset Emma Navarro 6-4, 6-4 to give Italy the early lead, followed by Jasmine Paolini's dominant 6-4, 6-2 victory over Jessica Pegula, overcoming a previous 0-5 head-to-head record to seal the triumph. Paolini expressed surprise and delight at the win, acknowledging the strength of the American team and praising the tournament's organization and the support from fans in China and Italy. The United States, competing in their first final in seven years, showed resilience throughout the event but ultimately could not match Italy’s performance, with captain Lindsay Davenport acknowledging the tough competition and expressing hope for future opportunities. Italy's back-to-back titles make them the first team since the Czech Republic (2014-2016) to achieve consecutive Billie Jean King Cup victories, signaling the rise of a new powerhouse in women's team tennis. Both Cocciaretto and Paolini highlighted the difficulty and significance of their achievement, with the Italian squad demonstrating depth, resilience, and strong teamwork throughout the tournament.