Italy withstand Slovakia fightback to seal their place in Finals

It was not the day captain Tathiana Garbin or her team expected, but after overcoming numerous hurdles and a defiant Slovakia fightback, Italy will take their place in November’s 2023 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals.

The Italians were indebted to Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Martina Trevisan for a gutsy doubles performance as they dispatched Viktoria Hruncakova and Tereza Mihalikova 6-4 4-6 7-5 to settle matters in Bratislava once and for all.

Trailing 2-0 following an abject opening day, Slovakia roared back into contention courtesy of singles victories for Anna Karolina Schmiedlova and Hruncakova over Jasmine Paolini and Cocciaretto respectively as they threatened an unlikely comeback.

Indeed, had Slovakia turned the tide completely, it would have been just eighth occasion in Billie Jean King Cup history that a nation had successfully overturned a 2-0 deficit. Italy, however, had the final word.  

“It means a lot to qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals again,” said Garbin. “We started the day in another mood, but we finished the day with the best mood possible.

“It was a difficult day and it started badly but, as usual, my players gave 100 per cent in national team colours. They have big hearts and big passion, and today they needed perseverance.

“I said yesterday that I wanted to preserve Martina [Trevisan] for the doubles and play Elisabetta in the singles. This morning everything was okay, but Camila [Giorgi] felt pain in her knee during the warm-up and wasn’t sure if she could complete her match.

“I was sure that my players would give the best they could in difficult moments, and that is why I changed my formation with Jasmine playing first and then Elisabetta.”

Cocciaretto was one of the players affected by the enforced reshuffle but, after succumbing to a 6-3 7-6(2) defeat against Hruncakova, the 22-year-old recovered her poise to thrive in doubles. She was also happy to reveal the secret to her upturn in fortune.

“For sure, it was a tough day,” she said. “It was a difficult start to the day with Camila not playing, which changed everything. It was tough but we tried our best. In singles, I didn’t get the win, but I tried to do better in doubles and do the things which I didn’t do in singles.

“In the break between singles and doubles, I went to the hotel and changed my skirt because I didn’t like the skirt I had. I then came back, had a coffee, re-set and went. I fought until the end and we are so happy and proud to be in the Finals.”