Jasmine Paolini beat Moyuka Uchijima in a singles match, then teamed with Sara Errani to prevail in doubles action as Italy rallied for a 2-1 victory over Japan on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the Billie Jean King Cup.
Paolini collected 20 winners to down Uchijima 6-3, 6-4. Playing alongside Errani, she then helped Italy to another 6-3, 6-4 win, this time over Eri Hozumi and Shuko Aoyama. Ena Shibahara had given Japan an early 1-0 lead by edging Elisabetta Cocciaretto 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Italy will face Poland in the semifinals on Monday.
Poland had to get by the Czech Republic on Saturday to end up in the semis. The Poles rallied, too, with Iga Swiatek defeating Linda Noskova in a singles match before she and Katarzyna Kawa topped Marie Bouzkova and Katerina Siniakova in a doubles match.
Bouzkova clipped Magdalena Frech 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 to provide the Czechs with an early lead.
–Field Level Media
