Italy beat Iga Swiatek’s Poland to reach Billie Jean King Cup final
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Jasmine Paolini of Italy during her singles match against Poland's Iga Swiatek in their Billie Jean King Cup clash.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
MALAGA – Jasmine Paolini “gave everything” for Italy on Nov 18, and it paid off for her on a tough day at the Martin Carpena Arena.
The Italians reached a second consecutive Billie Jean King Cup final with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Iga Swiatek’s Poland in Malaga, much thanks to Paolini’s determination.
Swiatek came from a set down to beat the Italian in her singles rubber, but the latter earned immediate revenge over the five-time Grand Slam winner in the deciding doubles clash.
Paolini and veteran Sara Errani overcame Swiatek and Katarzyna Kawa 7-5, 7-5 to send the four-time champions through to the final on Nov 20, when they will face either Britain or Slovakia.
In the opening singles rubber, Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti beat Magda Linette 6-4, 7-6 (7-3). That was followed by Swiatek’s battle with Paolini, which ran over 2½ hours and saw the Pole win 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
“It was tough today... the intensity was insane. I was a little bit tired but I said to myself, ‘You still have to play the doubles, you have to give everything for Italy, for my team’,” said the 28-year-old Paolini.
“When I lost the (singles) match I was a little bit sad but, then, I tried to go in the locker room and think positive about the doubles.”
Poland were in the semi-finals for the first time, but came undone just when it seemed they had done enough for a tiebreak – losing the last six games of the final set in the doubles.
“Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever been so tired,” said Swiatek.
In other news, Roger Federer paid tribute to his retiring rival Rafael Nadal on Nov 19.
Nadal is part of the Spain side who began their Davis Cup campaign against the Netherlands on Nov 19 – the result of which was not available at press time – with the injury-plagued 22-time Grand Slam singles champion set to call time on his career after the team competition in Malaga.
The retired Federer, who was part of the “Big Three” of men’s tennis alongside Nadal and Novak Djokovic, posted a letter on X looking back at his rivalry with the 38-year-old.
“Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me – a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could,” Federer said of Nadal, who edged out their rivalry 24-16.
“On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground. You made me reimagine my game – even going so far as to change the size of my racket head, hoping for any edge.”
Federer, who won 20 Grand Slam singles titles before retiring in 2022, also poked fun at Nadal’s courtside quirks.
“I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level,” the 43-year-old Swiss added.
“All those rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear... all of it with the highest intensity.
“Secretly, I kind of loved the whole thing. Because it was so unique – it was so you. And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more.” REUTERS, AFP