# Jasmine Paolini stuns Qinwen Zheng to keep Italy alive in Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals

- URL: https://apitofinal.pt/en/modalidades-en/tenis-en/jasmine-paolini-stuns-qinwen-zheng-to-keep-italy-alive-in-billie-jean-king-cup-quarterfinals/
- Published: 2026-09-24T22:35:39+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-20T17:37:53+00:00
- Publisher: Apito Final (apitofinal.pt)
- Section: Ténis
- Tags: Billie Jean King Cup, China, Italy, Jasmine Paolini, Qinwen Zheng, Sara Errani

## Key points

- Jasmine Paolini beat Qinwen Zheng in straight sets, levelling the quarterfinal tie at 1-1 for Italy.
- Paolini had lost all four previous meetings with Zheng, yet won the first set 6-3 and the second 7-4 in a tiebreak.
- The tie now comes down to a decisive doubles match between Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini for a semifinal spot.

## Article

Jasmine Paolini’s Resilience Forces Decisive Doubles Tie as Italy Battles China in Billie Jean King Cup Quarters

Italy refuses to bow out quietly in the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals. After Elisabetta Cocciaretto’s opening loss to China, Jasmine Paolini delivered a commanding response, leveling the tie at 1-1 by defeating Qinwen Zheng in straight sets. This victory not only salvaged Italy’s hopes but also set the stage for a high-stakes doubles showdown to determine who advances to the semifinals.

Facing immense pressure and the weight of past defeats—Paolini had lost all four previous encounters against Zheng—the Italian player started strong. Securing an early break in the very first game, Paolini surged to a 3-0 lead, immediately putting her opponent on the back foot. Zheng fought back with a break of her own to narrow the gap to 4-3, but Paolini’s composure prevailed as she reclaimed the advantage and closed out the first set 6-3.

The second set unfolded as a tense battle of wills, marked by multiple momentum swings and relentless defense. Both players saved a combined total of five break points in the opening games—two for Zheng and three for Paolini—before locking in at 5-5. Here, Paolini elevated her game, capitalizing on Zheng’s errors to claim a crucial break at 30. Yet the Chinese challenger refused to relent, immediately counterattacking with a break of her own, unleashing a series of winners that shifted the momentum. The match ultimately came down to a dramatic tiebreak. After falling behind 0-3, Paolini steadied herself, conceding just one more point before sealing the set 7-4 and clinching the match.

With the tie deadlocked, the decisive doubles match now looms as the final battleground for a coveted semifinal spot. Italy will place its trust in the seasoned duo of Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini, hoping their combined experience can outmaneuver the Chinese pairing and propel the Azzurre into the next stage of the competition. Captain Tathiana Garbin’s squad remains poised and ready to challenge for a place in the semifinals, underscoring the fierce determination and resilience that define this Italian team’s campaign.