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Italy advanced to the semifinals of the Billie Jean King Cup after defeating host nation China 2-1 in Shenzhen. Following an opening defeat in singles, Jasmine Paolini leveled the tie before teaming up with Sara Errani to secure the decisive doubles victory in a three-set match.
### Paolini and Errani Secure Decisive Doubles Victory
The quarterfinal tie hinged on a tense deciding doubles rubber after Italy and China split the opening two singles matches. Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini clinched the semifinal berth by defeating China’s Guo Hanyu and Jiang Xinyu 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.
The Olympic champions overcame a 2-4 deficit in the final set to seal the victory. The match marked the first time Errani and Paolini played alongside each other since June, following physical issues that sidelined Paolini from doubles duty over the summer.
“We’re used to suffering. It’s been a complex season for my players, but every time they wear the national team jersey it seems like they have super powers. I’m super proud of these extraordinary girls,” Italy captain Tathiana Garbin told SuperTennis after the win.
### Singles Split Sets Up Shenzhen Thriller
The tie opened with a difficult result for the Italian squad. Elisabetta Cocciaretto struggled physically and fell to China’s Shuai Zhang in straight sets, 6-0, 6-2, in just one hour of play.
Jasmine Paolini leveled the score for the Azzurre in the second singles match. Paolini defeated Qinwen Zheng 6-3, 7-6 to force the decisive third rubber and keep Italy’s tournament hopes alive.
### Upcoming Semifinal Clash Against Ukraine
Italy advances to face Ukraine on Saturday, with a spot in the final on the line. Ukraine secured its semifinal place with a 2-1 victory over Belgium.
The two nations met at the same stage a year prior, when Italy defeated Ukraine in the semifinals. Captain Tathiana Garbin noted that the upcoming encounter presents different challenges, particularly with Ukrainian player Kostyuk absent from the lineup.
“In the semifinal, like last year, we will face Ukraine. This year will be different, Kostyuk is missing, but this competition holds hidden difficulties,” Garbin said. “I think we have to think about ourselves, to recover as quickly as possible. It will take great energy to face this great team.”