Billie Jean King Cup: A Shocking Start for Italy

Italy’s Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals got off to the worst possible start: in the opening match of their series against China, they suffered a crushing defeat in the first singles match, where Elisabetta Cocciaretto won only two games against Zhang Shuai, who won 6-0, 6-2 in a match that lasted just one hour.

The player from the Marche region’s performance was hampered by some physical issues that arose during the match: it is now up to Jasmine Paolini to keep Italy’s hopes alive, as only a victory by the champion from Bagni di Lucca would allow Italy to compete for a spot in the semifinals in the decisive doubles match.

The 2026 edition of the Billie Jean King Cup is currently in its final stage in Shenzhen, China. Ukraine has already qualified for the semifinals after defeating Belgium 2-1 and is awaiting the winner of the Italy-China match; Spain, which also defeated Kazakhstan in three matches, and the Czech Republic, which will face the Spanish team after defeating Great Britain 2-0.

The Billie Jean King Cup, known as the Federation Cup until 1994 and the Fed Cup until 2019, is the premier competition for women’s national teams. Italy has won it six times, triumphing in 2006, in 2009–2010, in 2013, and in the last two editions, 2024 and 2025. The Italian team’s non-playing captain is Tathiana Garbin; in addition to Cocciaretto and Paolini, the team also includes Lucia Bronzetti, Tyra Caterina Grant, and Sara Errani.