A stacked and inspired Team Italy repeated as Billie Jean King Cup champions over Team USA on Sunday. It is the first time a country has repeated as BJK Cup champs since the three-time champion Czech Republic team did in 2014-2016.
🇮🇹 BACK-TO-BACK WORLD CHAMPIONS 🏆🏆#BJKCup pic.twitter.com/FrxiD1dVei
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) September 21, 2025
Elisabetta Cocciaretto opened Sunday’s action with a straight set win over Emma Navarro. The World No. 91 took out the World No. 18 Navarro, playing a stellar match and controlling the baseline.
CLUTCHaretto 😮💨
Match point MADNESS by Elisabetta Cocciaretto 🤯@federtennis | #BJKCup pic.twitter.com/OuI8ZXE6B7
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) September 21, 2025
That put the pressure on Jessica Pegula to keep Team USA in contention. She has never lost to Jasmine Paolini; however, the two have not played each other in two years, and Paolini’s success and prominence in recent years is not something Pegula has faced.
Paolini played the big points better and defended her serve in long and stressful service games in the first set. In the second, she had a spring in her step that Pegula could not match. Pegula lost four straight service games.
Pegula lifted her game as Paolini got a little tight, saving three match points after going down 1-5 in the second set, but it was not enough.
Jasmine Paolini gets it done!
The match that sealed the victory for her nation 🇮🇹
Italy defeat USA to retain the title of World Champions 🏆#BJKCup pic.twitter.com/Xz2nM8Izdr
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) September 21, 2025
What It Means
Italy earns its sixth BJK Cup title, and Team USA is once again denied the win. The last time Team USA made the finals was in 2018, falling to Czech Republic.
Team Italy had the advantage going in because of possessing Paolini as a dual threat as a Top 10 singles and doubles player. If it would have been necessary, Paolini and Errani, the defending Olympic champions, would have been a tough challenge for Pegula and World No. 1 doubles player Taylor Townsend who are both talented doubles players but do not play together often and have the chemistry and familiarity of Paolini and Errani.
