Jasmine Paolini leads Italy to Billie Jean King Cup finals

Jasmine Paolini earned singles and doubles wins on Friday as defending champion Italy advanced to the Billie Jean King Cup's championship series.

The Italians rallied to a 2-1 win over Ukraine in Shenzhen, China. Their opponent in the title match on Sunday will be the winner of the Saturday semifinal between the United States and Great Britain.

Paolini, who is ranked eighth in the world, extended the semifinal series with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over 13th-seeded Elina Svitolina.

In the decisive doubles match, Paolini teamed with Sara Errani to defeat Lyudmyla Kichenok and Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-3. Errani and Paolini won the women's doubles gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the championship at the 2025 French Open.

Earlier Friday, Kostyuk, rated 26th, earned a 6-2, 6-3 victory over 91st-rated Elisabetta Cocciaretto.

The singles matches for the second semifinal are slated to be the United States' Emma Navarro against Great Britain's Sonay Kartal, then the United States' Jessica Pegula against Katie Boulter. Taylor Townsend figures to play for the U.S. in doubles with either McCartney Kessler or Pegula, likely facing off against Jodie Burrage and Francesca Jones.

--Field Level Media