Italy beat Japan to reach BJK Cup semi-finals / Photo: JORGE GUERRERO - AFP
Italy beat Japan to reach BJK Cup semi-finals
Italy became the first team to qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup semi-finals on Saturday as Jasmine Paolini won in singles and doubles to claim a 2-1 victory over Japan.
Ena Shibahara won the opening singles after recovering to beat Elisabetta Cocciaretto 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, but French Open and Wimbledon runner-up Paolini levelled the tie with a straight-sets win over Moyuka Uchijima.
World number four Paolini then teamed up with Sara Errani to defeat Japanese pair Shuko Aoyama and Eri Hozumi 6-3, 6-4 in the decisive doubles rubber.
Italy, who lost last year's final to Canada, will meet either Poland -- led by five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek -- or the Czech Republic in the semi-finals.
The Italians have won the competition on four occasions, the last coming in 2013.
Canada face Britain in the quarter-finals on Sunday, while Australia take on Slovakia.
N.Bell--MC-UK
