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Italy, Great Britain Secure Billie Jean King Cup Finals Spots After Key Doubles Wins

Posted : 11 April 2026

Two-time defending champions Italy secured their place in the Billie Jean King Cup finals with a commanding 3-0 victory over Japan, sealing the tie through the decisive doubles match. Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini delivered the winning point on clay in Velletri, defeating Shuko Aoyama and Eri Hozumi 6-2, 7-5 to complete a dominant performance for the hosts.

Italy had already taken control of the tie after Paolini and Elisabetta Cocciaretto gave them a 2-0 lead on the opening day. Their strong start left Japan with little room for recovery, as the defending champions once again showcased their depth and experience on home soil.

Meanwhile in Melbourne, Great Britain also booked their spot in the finals after overcoming Australia in their qualifying tie. Harriet Dart and Jodie Burrage clinched the decisive doubles rubber, securing a 3-1 overall victory for the British team.

Australia briefly kept the contest alive when Emerson Jones defeated Katie Swan 7-5, 6-3 in the reverse singles. However, Britain had entered the day with a strong 2-0 lead following wins from Mika Stojsavljevic and Dart, putting them in a commanding position.

The British pair of Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez were unable to turn the tie around in the final doubles match, falling 6-3, 6-4 after failing to capitalize on an early lead. Their defeat confirmed Britain’s progression to the eight-team finals set to take place in Shenzhen, China, in September.

Jodie Burrage, emotional after the win, praised the team’s effort following a challenging period affected by injuries. She expressed pride in the pair’s performance and their ability to close out a high-pressure match.

Harriet Dart also highlighted the difficulty of facing an experienced Australian doubles team but credited her partnership with Burrage, noting it was their first time playing together competitively.

Elsewhere in the competition, Kazakhstan edged ahead of Canada 2-1 in Astana after winning the doubles rubber, while Belgium took a 2-0 lead over the United States in Ostend. With several ties still in progress, the battle for final qualification remains intense across multiple venues.

 

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