Forza! Paolini Powers Italy Into Third Straight BJK Cup Final – Tennis Now
By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, September 19, 2025
Photo credit: Billie Jean King Cup Facebook
Deep deficits are springboards to success when Jasmine Paolini is in full flight.
A passionate Paolini fought back from a one-set, 2-4 deficit battling back to beat Elina Svitolina 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 and level today’s Billie Jean King Cup semifinals vs. Ukraine at Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre Arena in Shenzhen, China.
Then, Paolini and partner Sara Errani roared through five consecutive games defeating Lyudmyla Kichenok and Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-3 to clinch Italy’s 2-1 comeback conquest of Ukraine, sending the Italians into their third straight Billie Jean King Cup final.
“Today was amazing,” Errani said afterward. “We had all the support. It was a tough for Jasmine. She did an incredible job.
“It’s not easy to play doubles after such a tough singles, but she’s so strong. I’m happy to have her as my doubles partner.”
Defending champion Italy will play for a sixth Billie Jean King Cup championship on Sunday against the winner of Saturday’s semifinal between 18-time champion United States and Great Britain.
“I just want to enjoy the final on Sunday,” said Paolini, who capped her heroic performance running across the court to toss her towel to cheering Italian fans.
The day began with the 23-year-old Kostyuk converting four of eight break points in a 6-2, 6-3 win over Elisabetta Cocciaretto to stake Ukraine to a 1-0 lead. A strong Kostyuk did not face a break point in a confident 89-minute win.
Next up, Svitolina took a 6-3, 4-2 lead over Paolini and was two games from sending Ukraine into the final for the first time.
The 2024 Wimbledon finalist Paolini fired up her game and intensity sparking the comeback.
The 29-year-old Paolini broke back igniting a run of four games in a row to snatch the second set.
In a topsy-turvy decider, Svitolina broke back to level the set 4-all. Paolini promptly broke back then served out a two hour, 25-minute triumph.
It was sweet revenge for Paolini, who suffered a heart-breaking three-set loss to Svitolina at Roland Garros earlier this year. In that match, Svitolina fought back from a 4-6, 1-4 deficit saving three match points to end Paolini’s dream of a second straight French Open final.
Digging down deep today, Paolini turned the match around.
In the second set of doubles, the Ukrainian pair opened a 3-1 second-set lead. Paolini answered with a slightly mis-hit forehand winner down the line, raising her hands in apology, as Italy broke for 3-all.
Down love-30 in the following game, Errani hung tough and held for 4-3. The Italians broke Kostyuk on a forehand error for 5-3.
Fittingly, Paolini served out the decisive doubles match, closing on the second match point as Errani sent a volley down the middle.
“We play doubles together the last two years,” Paolini said. “It’s good. We enjoy a lot doubles together. [Sara] won this championship four times, she loves Billie Jean King Cup.”
