Italy beats China 2-1 in Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals, advances to semifinals

Italy defeated China 2-1 in the Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals on Thursday in Shenzhen, with Jasmine Paolini winning both singles and doubles to clinch advancement for the two-time defending champion. Italy will face Ukraine in the semifinals on Saturday, with the final scheduled for Sunday. China took an early 1-0 lead when Zhang Shuai defeated Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-0, 6-2. Paolini then beat Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the deciding singles match, tying the tie at 1-1. Paolini and Sara Errani clinched the victory with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 win in doubles over Guo Hanyu and Jiang Xinyu. Per ESPN's reporting, this was Paolini's ninth consecutive match win in the tournament. Ukraine advanced to the semifinals for just the second time, defeating Belgium 2-1 earlier Thursday. Seventh-ranked Elina Svitolina was upset by Greet Minnen, ranked 217th. Anhelina Kalinina gave Ukraine a 1-0 lead with a 6-7 (6), 6-1, 6-1 win over Jana Otzipka. Kalinina and Lyudmyla Kichenok then beat Magali Kempen and Lara Salden 6-3, 6-3 in doubles to secure Ukraine's passage. Czech Republic beat Britain 2-0 in their quarterfinal. The Czechs are on course for a 12th title in the competition previously called Fed Cup. The United States did not qualify for the finals but holds a record 18 titles in the event.