Italy, finalist of the last edition, qualified for the semi-finals of the BJK Cup by beating Japan 2-1 thanks to its leader Jasmine Paolini, Saturday in Malaga.
The Italians continue their quest for a fifth trophy. They will be opposed in the semis to the Poles, led by world No.2 Iga Swiatek, or to the Czechs, who face each other at the end of the afternoon.
Ena Shibahara, 135th in the world, brought the first point to Japan by beating the odds against Elisabetta Cocciaretto, 54th, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
But Jasmine Paolini (4th), finalist of Roland-Garros and Wimbledon this year, tied the two teams by beating Moyuka Uchijima (56th), 6-3, 6-4.
Broken from the start, Paolini quickly corrected the situation by taking his opponent's face-off in turn, before flying away in the first set, which ended with a shutout.
From the start of the second set, the Italian took the Japanese's serve, but then conceded hers. Neck and neck with Uchijima until 4-4, Paolini ended up breaking to go for the final victory.
The Italian, revelation of the year 2024 with Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, returned to the court shortly after to play the decisive doubles with Sara Errani (105th), against the pair Shuko Aoyama-Eri Ozumi.
The Italian duo easily brought the qualification point to their team by winning 6-3, 6-4.
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