MALAGA, Spain (AP) 鈥� Two-time Grand Slam finalist capped a breakthrough season by leading Italy to its first title since 2013 on Wednesday, defeating Rebecca Sramkova 6-2, 6-1 to seal a 2-0 victory over Slovakia in the final of the women鈥檚 team competition.
The No. 4-ranked Paolini was the in June and at Wimbledon in July, making her the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to get to the title matches at Roland Garros and the All England Club in the same season. Before this year, Paolini, who is 28, had lost in the first or second round in all 16 career appearances at majors.
She also teamed with Sara Errani to win a doubles gold medal in August. They were lined up to play in the concluding match against Slovakia, but it wasn't needed because Italy clinched the best-of-three series by sweeping the two singles matches.
Lucia Bronzetti took Wednesday鈥檚 opener for Italy by a 6-2, 6-4 score against Viktoria Hruncakova before a crowd that included International Tennis herself.
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AP tennis:
Howard Fendrich, The Associated Press
