Slovakian female tennis players did not make it to the finals at the final tournament of the Billie-Jean King Cup in Malaga. They lost to favored Italy 0:2. The decisive second point for the Italian colors was earned by Jasmine Paoliniová, who easily defeated Rebecca Šramková 6:2, 6:1 in the team duel.
Slovak women did not take advantage of the chance to win the second title in the prestigious team competition. In November 2002, they won the Federation Cup in Maspalomas, Spain after a 3:1 triumph over the home team. Despite losing to Italy, they achieved a huge success in Malaga. On the way to the final, they successively eliminated the USA, Australia and Great Britain.
Šramková had the first break point against Paolini at 2:2. However, the Italian turned him away and in the following minutes controlled the events on the court. She won four games in a row and the first set was clearly her prey. Paolini confirmed why she advanced to the finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year, she had the upper hand in exchanges, she covered the entire court excellently. In the second act, after two breaks, she built up a lead of 5:1 and already brought the match to a successful end.
The Italians repeated the final from a year ago, when they were not enough for Canada, but this time with a successful end and won the trophy for the first time since 2013. “It’s amazing, I have no words. I’m trying to enjoy this moment because I’m lucky to be part of this team and we were able to bring the trophy home. A year ago I lost in a decisive fight in the final with Leyla Fernandez, I had it in my head, but the Canadian had a better end of the season last year. Today it was about whether we will give everything to one hundred percent and it will be enough to triumph. It worked,” Paolini was looking forward to on the court.
