Paolini steers Italy past China in Billie Jean King Cup tennis tourney

SHENZHEN, China — Jasmine Paolini rescued Italy’s Billie Jean King Cup title defense campaign by triumphing in singles and doubles to secure a 2-1 victory for her team over host China in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

The Italians rallied back from a 1-0 deficit early in the tie to book a Last-Four meeting on Saturday with Ukraine, which edged past Belgium earlier in the day at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre.

Paolini and Sara Errani were pushed to their limits and had to overcome fatigue and nerves before they squeezed past Guo Hanyu and Jiang Xinyu 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in a deciding doubles clash that ended just shy of 1:00 am.

“It feels amazing. When we saw the draw that again we were up against China, we were like, woah, it's so tough, one more time to play the home team,” said Paolini, who was also part of the Italian side that beat China in last year’s quarterfinals.

“It's always tough and this year, maybe it was even tougher. But I think we did an amazing job, I think it was an amazing show today.”

In her first Billie Jean King Cup on-court appearance for China since 2021, World No. 55 Zhang Shuai crushed Elisabetta Cocciaretto, 6-0, 6-2 in 62 minutes, giving the host an early advantage in the tie.

“I'm 37 years old. I play everything many times. I think I can handle this moment,” said Zhang after the match.

Paolini then came to the rescue, posting her first victory in four meetings with Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), to keep Italy’s bid for a three-peat alive and force a deciding doubles.

Zheng broke Paolini as she was serving for the win in the second set and had the better start in the tiebreak but the Italian two-time Grand Slam runner-up recovered to secure the point in straight sets.

It was Paolini’s ninth consecutive victory at the Billie Jean King Cup and she claimed her 10th three hours later when she partnered Errani for the doubles win.

Both Italians struggled on serve but relied on their longtime successful partnership, which yielded them Olympic gold and a Roland Garros crown within the last three years, to stave off a stiff challenge from the Chinese.

Meanwhile, Anhelina Kalinina was the hero of the day for Ukraine as she won both her singles and doubles matches to contribute the two points needed to overcome a stubborn Belgium team and secure her nation a second consecutive semifinal appearance at the Billie Jean King Cup.

“It's been a long day today with a lot of, lot of tennis,” said the 29-year-old Kalinina.

“I'm really happy for our team, that we made this team effort and we get through this challenge, for sure, because I think today Team Belgium showed really, really great and high-quality tennis.”

Back on team Ukraine for the first time since her competition debut three years ago, Kalinina opened the tie with a 6-7 (6/8), 6-1, 6-1 victory over World No. 474 Jana Otzipka.

The 21-year-old Otzipka was making her first Billie Jean King cup appearance for Belgium and dug deep to clinch a tight 58-minute first set against an opponent positioned 426 spots higher than her in the rankings.

In the second singles match of the tie, Greet Minnen battled for two hours and 47 minutes to pull off an impressive, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-4, upset over Ukrainian World No. 7 Elina Svitolina and keep Belgium’s hopes alive.

Kalinina then returned to the court, teaming up with Lyudmyla Kichenok for a 6-3, 6-3 victory against Magali Kempen and Lara Salden, which completed the 2-1 triumph for Ukraine.

abtestabtest Sibol ends Naraka: Bladepoint Asia Games campaign with win over Hong Kong By Michelle Lojo | 1 day ago Sibol closed its Naraka: Bladepoint campaign with a 2-1 victory over Hong Kong but fell short of the semifinals of the 20th... Sports Ginebra, TNT change imports By Joaquin M. Henson | 16 hours ago It’s been over a month since the PBA put the Governors ’Cup on hold to give way to Gilas’ participation... Sports Cignal steps in with own cameras as Asian Games host feed skips tennis 20 hours ago Cignal, the official Philippine broadcaster of the 20th Asian Games, will deploy its own cameras and digital equipment at... Sports Yulo completes golden set By Nelson Beltran | 16 hours ago It’s only fitting – Olympic and world champion Carlos Yulo now owns the Asian Games throne. Sports Athletes’ life on boat: Tight but cozy By Nelson Beltran | 16 hours ago From the outside, she looks like she strayed from a Mediterranean cruise. From the inside, she’s home to thousands of... Sports Latest More in Sports Ramos bucks odds, surges into ADT joint lead in Egypt TLPGA Open: Bisera makes way to Top 9 as Hou triumphs Huge turnout expected in 'Run For Your Life' race Gumbao, Otoc stand out in Palawan juniors tennis tilt abtest Carlos Yulo rules vault for second Asian Games gold By Ralph Edwin Villanueva | 1 hour ago So nice, he had to have it twice.  Sports Eala vows to learn from Singapore stunner as Asiad stint beckons By Ralph Edwin Villanueva | 2 hours ago  As the Japanese proverb said, if you fall down seven times, you must stand up eight.  Sports Gilas men relegated to Asiad 3x3 battle for bronze after beatdown by Korea By Ralph Edwin Villanueva | 3 hours ago The Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 men’s team is headed to the bronze medal match in the Asian Games after getting blasted by Korea,... Sports Gilas women to play for Asian Games 3x3 gold By Ralph Edwin Villanueva | 3 hours ago The Gilas Pilipinas women are closing in on the 3x3 basketball gold in the Asian Games. Sports Recommended Monsod criticizes senators over stand on vote threshold 16 hours ago A framer of the 1987 Constitution called out Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Camille Villar, who objected to the proposal... SportsSENATORSVOTE Gatchalian attends MOPC dialogue 16 hours ago Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian will attend today’s dialogue with the Manila Overseas Press Club. SportsGATCHALIAN Wanted: Counselors September 25, 2026 - 12:00am While riveted by the events unfolding at the Senate, let’s not forget the threat faced by millions of young people in our schools. SportsSENATE Senate OKs new franchise for Razon’s power utility 16 hours ago Tycoon Enrique Razon Jr.’s Bohol Light Co. Inc. is moving closer to securing a new franchise to operate in Tagbilaran... SportsENRIQUE RAZON Future impeachment courts can decide differently in threshold question 23 hours ago Future impeachment courts can compute the two-thirds vote for conviction differently from the court trying Vice President... SportsSARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENTSENATE next Recommended Monsod criticizes senators over stand on vote threshold A framer of the 1987 Constitution called out Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Camille Villar, who objected to the proposal to lower the number of votes needed to convict Vice President Sara Duterte in her impeachment trial. 16 hours ago SENATORS VOTE Gatchalian attends MOPC dialogue Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian will attend today’s dialogue with the Manila Overseas Press Club. 16 hours ago GATCHALIAN Wanted: Counselors While riveted by the events unfolding at the Senate, let’s not forget the threat faced by millions of young people in our schools. 16 hours ago SENATE Senate OKs new franchise for Razon’s power utility Tycoon Enrique Razon Jr.’s Bohol Light Co. Inc. is moving closer to securing a new franchise to operate in Tagbilaran City after hurdling the Senate. 16 hours ago ENRIQUE RAZON Future impeachment courts can decide differently in threshold question Future impeachment courts can compute the two-thirds vote for conviction differently from the court trying Vice President Sara Duterte, which ruled this week that only senators able to take part in the trial will be counted. 23 hours ago SARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENT SENATE OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!