Italy crowned back-to-back Billie Jean King Cup champions with clean sweep over USA

September or November, it matters little as Italy have once again been crowned Billie Jean King Cup Finals champions with Jasmine Paolini once again leading from the front for her nation in a clean sweep on Sunday.

Emma Navarro was mooted by Andy Roddick as being the difference maker in the tie and while that was the case it was in defeat as she suffered the first blow on Sunday losing to Elisabetta Cocciaretto pretty comfortably. The Italian needed just an hour and 29 minutes to seal a 6-4, 6-4 straight sets win to put Tathiana Garbin's side up and one away from a sixth title.

She looked relaxed on court and not one to be blown away by the occasion with Italy also triumphing last year so it is very much common fayre for them at this point. Navarro started slowly in her previous ties including against Sonay Kartal and in reality it only takes one of those ties being the slow start that never manifests itself into being a return to form for it to be a loss.

Cocciaretto broke her opponent in the first game and maintained the pressure with exquisite ball striking ability and looked likely to break in almost every single service game. Navarro slipped to the first set but she showed great resolve to come back and upped her level to edge ahead 4-2 in the second set.

She broke for this but the Italian wasn't about to become the latest cannon fodder for a comeback from the American as she reeled off four straight games saving her latest hot streak for the end of the game to claim a famous win and put Italy firmly in the drivers seat.

“It was an unbelievable match for me,” said Cocciaretto as per media from the tournament. “I know that I had to play my best tennis. I’m really happy about the performance and the point that I gave to Italy.”

Going into the second tie it was do or die for USA, for Italy they knew they had the doubles if they didn't win with Errani and Paolini a formidable duo. Going into facing Pegula, Paolini had lost all five of her previous match-ups against the American.

But she found the fire again. She won 6-4, 6-2. She survived break points early at 2-2 and also at 5-4 with Pegula constantly nipping at her heels on her service games. But she managed to break herself after Pegula spurned three chances in the game prior to claim the set which proved to be the hammer blow.

The second was a break fest to start as they book exchanged service games to begin before Paolini surged into a 4-1 lead after breaking again for 3-1. The writing was firmly on the wall as Paolini again upped her level and Pegula couldn't match her. She barely won a point on her serve and was having more joy on Paolini's than her own. She broke for 5-2 in what looked like a late comeback but just like Cocciaretto, she shut the door.

While the doubles will be played, Paolini has proved again why she is such a talent and a formidable force to have in this event. USA are the most successful ever in this event but despite having riches vaster than most, it is not the most easiest to wi these titles with Canada scooping it the year before and USA not having much joy. To China for Pegula and Navarro looking to bounce back from this.

Navarro in defeat has shown good signs though amid a form slump while Pegula has been solid but just not good enough for a superb Italian duo in Paolini and Cocciaretto.