Tennis: Errani and Paolini defeat Japan in the doubles; Italy through to the BJK Cup Finals

Milan, 11 April (LaPresse) – Defending champions Italy have qualified for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals after beating Japan 3-0 at the Colle degli Dei sports complex in Velletri. The decisive point came in the doubles, with the Italian pair of Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini defeating the Japanese duo of Eri Hozumi and Shuko Aoyama in two sets, 6-2, 7-5. Yesterday, on the first day, Elisabetta Cocciaretto (WTA 42) defeated Moyuka Uchijima (84) 7-5, 6-3 to secure her first victory for the Italian national team. Paolini (8) then dominated Himeno Sakatsume (133) 6-3, 6-1, having previously beaten her in their only head-to-head encounter at Granby in 2022. Italy, which has triumphed in the last two editions, claimed its sixth overall Billie Jean King Cup title in 2025, following those in 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2024. It thus became the fourth nation with at least six titles to its name in the competition, behind the USA (18), the Czech Republic (11) and Australia (7).