Italy defeat hosts China to advance to Billie Jean King Cup semifinals

Defending champions Italy reached the Billie Jean King Cup semifinals in Shenzhen after defeating hosts China 2-0, following impressive come-from-behind victories by Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Jasmine Paolini on Tuesday.

In the opening singles match, China's Yuan Yue took the first set against Cocciaretto 6-4. The 24-year-old Italian then staged a remarkable comeback, recovering from 5-3 down in the second set to claim five consecutive games and force a decider 7-5.

Yuan entered the tie with an unbeaten record at the event, having won all seven of her previous matches since debuting for China in 2022, and led 4-0 in the third set. But Cocciaretto, playing in her 14th Billie Jean King Cup match, rallied once more to close out the frame 7-5, giving Italy a 1-0 overall lead.

In the second singles match, China's Wang Xinyu grabbed the first set against Jasmine Paolini 6-4.

Two-time Grand Slam singles finalist Paolini, a key player for the Italians in last year's title-winning campaign, then found herself staring at a sweep after falling behind 5-3 in the second set. The world number eight forced a tiebreak, however, and prevailed 7-4 to bring up a decider.

Paolini trailed 4-2 in the third set before mounting another comeback to wrap things up 6-4. That sealed Italy's 2-0 victory and ensured the team's third consecutive appearance in the semifinals.