Italy Defends Billie Jean King Cup with 2-0 win over U.S. in Shenzhen

Shenzhen, China — Italy successfully defended its Billie Jean King Cup title Sunday, beating the United States 2-0 in the final at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre Arena, after the U.S. had upset Great Britain 2-0 in the semifinals on Saturday. The results capped a week in which top teams navigated tight ties and dramatic comebacks in the event formerly known as the Fed Cup.

Italy clinched the trophy when Elisabetta Cocciaretto upset Emma Navarro in the opening singles and Jasmine Paolini followed by defeating Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-2, denying the U.S. its first title since 2017. Italian captain and players celebrated a consecutive championship, with Paolini and Cocciaretto delivering the singles victories that made a doubles decider unnecessary. Italy had reached the final by beating Ukraine in the semifinals.

The U.S. route to the final day began with a hard-fought quarterfinal win over Kazakhstan in Shenzhen, where Jessica Pegula and Taylor Townsend secured a 6-2, 7-6 victory in the deciding doubles against Yulia Putintseva and Elena Rybakina. Emma Navarro also won a three-set singles match against Putintseva, while Rybakina beat Pegula in singles to level that tie before the...