Italy claimed their first Billie Jean King Cup title in 11 years as Jasmine Paolini wrapped up a 2-0 win over Slovakia in Malaga.
Paolini, who has loved a breakthrough 2024 season, was a part of the Italian group that completed runners-up to Canada 12 months in the past.
The world quantity 4 received 6-2 6-1 in opposition to Rebecca Sramkova after Lucia Bronzetti had put Italy forward with a 6-2 6-4 victory over Viktoria Hruncakova within the first singles match.
“I at all times dreamed about this trophy,” mentioned Bronzetti, who was taking part in simply her second singles match within the competitors.
“We’re the world champions, we may be a lot happier. It’s a dream of all of ours and we’re so proud.”
Italy, who will earn $2.4m (£1.9m) in prize cash for successful their fifth title, have turn into a tennis powerhouse just lately, with the boys’s group – led by world primary Jannik Sinner – successful its first Davis Cup in 47 years in 2023.
Captain Tathiana Garbin mentioned: “It is a dream come true. I’ve such nice champions, nice gamers, and nice human beings.
“I’m so happy with them. They struggle day by day.”
Slovakia, who knocked Nice Britain out on Tuesday, had been taking part in of their first last since they received the match in 2002.
