The Slovak women fought like lions, but they were not enough for the Italian tennis players. The finals of the BJ King Cup were already decided by singles – Tennis

Slovakian female tennis players failed in the finals of the Billie-Jean King Cup final tournament 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 female tennis players after the Billie Jean King Cup final.

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.

Hrunčáková lost her serve in the opening game of the opening match of the final. She immediately countered with a rebreak, but in the third game she lost her serve again and Bronzetti got on the horse.

The Italian benefited from good movement around the court, making fewer unforced errors in exchanges. In the seventh game, she broke Hrunčáková again and brought the first set to a successful end.

In the second act, the Slovak improved her returns and increased her aggressiveness. At 3:2, she broke her opponent’s serve with a clean game, but in the next game she did not use the 40:15 lead, which threw her out.

Bronzetti returned to the active game from the first set, won four games in a row and won the first point for the Italian colors. She converted the first match point on her own serve.

“I was extremely concentrated. It’s never easy in the final, but I managed it. I’m very happy and proud to have won the first point for Italy.

In the second act, the opponent improved, but even at 2:4 I didn’t put down my arms and turned it around,” said Bronzettiová.

Hrunčáková evaluates the performance of the Slovenian women in Malaga very positively.

“Only in a few days will we fully realize what we have achieved here. If someone had told us before the start of the tournament that we would advance to the finals, we would have taken it with all ten. For me, every loss is difficult, whether in tournaments or in the Billie-Jean King Cup. However, we played great games in Malaga.”

Photo: ČTK / AP / Manu Fernandez

06. BJKC finals Slovak women’s tennis team.

Slovak captain Matej Lipták admitted that the Italians were too much of a bite in the final.

“A big compliment to the Italian team, they played great matches and were better today. We were closer to a successful result in the first duel, it’s a shame that Viki didn’t take her chances.

Jasmine played incredibly against Rebecca, she was very excited that Bronzetti got the first point and the Italians were in the lead. We are sad now, but overall we are very satisfied that we have advanced to the final. I’m proud of the baby.”

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 could 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.