# Paolini's Shenzhen Comeback and Errani Tandem Propel Italy Past Ukraine Into BJK Cup Final

**By Amelie Fontaine**  \nPublished September 26, 2026  \nUpdated September 26, 2026

> Trailing a set and a break against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini sparked a dramatic comeback in Shenzhen before joining Sara Errani to seal Italy's third consecutive Billie Jean King Cup final berth.

When Elina Svitolina marched to a 6-3, 4-2 advantage in Shenzhen, defending champion Italy stood two games away from elimination. Having dropped the opening rubber of the Billie Jean King Cup semifinal, the Italians desperately needed momentum to salvage their title defense. World No. 8 Jasmine Paolini delivered under maximum duress, mounting a grueling comeback to overcome Svitolina before returning to the court alongside elite doubles partner Sara Errani to secure a 2-1 victory over Ukraine.

The victory sends Italy into its third consecutive Billie Jean King Cup final, sustaining a dominant era in international team competition. Italy now waits to discover its championship opponent, with Sunday's final setting up against the winner of Saturday's second semifinal between the United States and Great Britain.

## Kostyuk Strikes First in Shenzhen

Ukraine grabbed early command of the tie behind a sharp opening singles display from Marta Kostyuk. Facing Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Kostyuk dictated play from the baseline, applying relentless return pressure to sweep through in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.

Cocciaretto struggled to penetrate Kostyuk's depth, leaving Italy down 1-0 and shifting an immense workload onto Paolini in the second rubber. With Ukraine needing just one more point to advance, Svitolina stepped onto the hard court aiming to close out the tie.

## The 4-2 Turning Point: Paolini Outlasts Svitolina

For a set and a half, Svitolina controlled the rhythm and looked set to punch Ukraine's ticket to the final. After taking the opening set 6-3, Svitolina built a 4-2 lead in the second set. Paolini, however, adjusted her court positioning and increased her groundstroke depth to break back and break Svitolina's stranglehold on the match.

By winning four consecutive games, Paolini claimed the second set 6-4 and carried that offensive momentum into the decider. Despite Svitolina's counterpunching efforts, Paolini seized control of baseline exchanges, closing out a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 triumph to pull Italy level at 1-1.

## Errani and Paolini Masterclass Seals the Tie

With the tie decided by the doubles rubber, Italian leadership paired veteran specialist Sara Errani with the energized Paolini. Ukraine countered by deploying Kostyuk alongside established doubles performer Lyudmyla Kichenok.

The Italian pair controlled court geometry from the outset. Paolini's heavy groundstrokes from the backcourt allowed Errani to dominate the net with positioning and touch. Kostyuk and Kichenok found few openings, as Paolini and Errani pulled away for a clean 6-2, 6-3 victory to clinch the semifinal.

### Billie Jean King Cup Semifinal Summary

**Italy 2, Ukraine 1 (Shenzhen, China)**

- **Rubber 1:** Marta Kostyuk (UKR) def. Elisabetta Cocciaretto (ITA) 6-2, 6-3
- **Rubber 2:** Jasmine Paolini (ITA) def. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
- **Rubber 3 (Doubles):** Jasmine Paolini / Sara Errani (ITA) def. Marta Kostyuk / Lyudmyla Kichenok (UKR) 6-2, 6-3The victory officially locks in Italy's third consecutive Billie Jean King Cup final appearance. While preliminary tracking occasionally referenced Italy's broad success across recent cycles, tournament results confirm that this Shenzhen victory delivers their third straight final berth in the flagship team competition.

## Evidence-Led Forecast: Italy’s Sunday Title Defense in Shenzhen

**Expected Tactical Pattern:** Entering Sunday's final against either the United States or Great Britain, Italy will lean heavily on Paolini's dual singles and doubles workload alongside Errani's net craft. Expect Italy to favor patient, high-margin baseline exchanges in singles to wear down opponents on the Shenzhen hard courts, while relying on the Errani-Paolini tandem's court coverage if the championship comes down to a deciding doubles match.

**Decisive Matchup:** The top-singles match will dictate Sunday's rhythm. If Paolini can assert forehand dominance early, Italy can mitigate vulnerability in the secondary singles rubber. Conversely, if her opponent forces quick points and disrupts Paolini's rhythm, heavy pressure shifts onto Italy's secondary singles starter.

**Strongest Counter-Case:** A power-oriented squad from the USA or Great Britain capable of dominating behind quick serve-and-first-ball combinations could shorten rallies, preventing Paolini and her teammates from establishing the rhythm required for extended baseline battles.

**What Would Change the Read:** Accumulative fatigue from Paolini's combined singles and doubles efforts against Ukraine presents the primary variable. Should physical strain impact her court speed or recovery window ahead of Sunday, Italy's tactical edge across both formats would contract significantly.

## Sources

- [spaziotennis.com](https://www.spaziotennis.com/) — original
- [sport.ceskatelevize.cz](http://sport.ceskatelevize.cz/clanek/tenis/billie-jean-king-cup/italky-jsou-potreti-za-sebou-ve-finale-poharu-bjk-958) — original
- [cigarafterten.com](https://cigarafterten.com/dove-eravamo-rimasti-bbl/) — original
- [90min.com](https://www.90min.com/it/posts/guida-al-calcio-in-tv-dove-vedere-tutte-le-partite-in-diretta-tv-e-streaming) — original