Billie Jean King Cup Finals 2024: Jasmine Paolini's Italy outlast Iga Swiatek's Poland to reach final in dramatic doubles decider

The first finalist is set at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals with Italy moving through having seen off the charge of Poland in Malaga led by Iga Swiatek who more than played her part this week.

But it wasn't enough as the now super experienced doubles duo of Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini were too good in the end against Swiatek and Katarzyna Kawa prevailing 7-5, 7-5 despite being a game away from being forced into a deciding set.

Errani also produced as ever her tricks on the court as she hit an underarm serve on match point. Certainly something very much out of the playbook of the Italian and it worked on this occasion. The opening set played very much into the hands of Poland as did the second as it could've been a very different outcome. Swiatek and Kawa couldn't convert set point three times and were then promptly broken in the next game. Errani and Paolini made light work of their opportunity holding to seal the set.

Swiatek and Kawa looked to be easing towards the second set going 5-1 up and one game away but the experienced tandem snuffed out the opportunity as Swiatek and Kawa did not get a single set point and Paolini and Errani emphatically won six games on the spin.

This final stand was prompted by Iga Swiatek coming from a set down to defeat Paolini in their singles tie 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in favour of the former World No.1. She managed to save Poland after Lucia Bronzetti saw off Magda Linette earlier in the evening. But in the doubles, it was a bridge too far.

Now it is likely Great Britain with surprise package Slovakia awaiting them tomorrow with Boulter and Raducanu very much favourites to seal a final with Italy.