Italy defended their Billie Jean King Cup title as Jasmine Paolini beat Jessica Pegula to wrap up a 2-0 victory over the United States.

The world number eight was in supreme form as she raced to a 6-4 6-2 victory in Shenzhen to secure Italy’s sixth title.

Paolini is undefeated in singles and doubles at the BJK Cup this year and has lost just one of her previous 10 matches in the competition.

The 29-year-old was part of the Italian team that finished runners-up to Canada in 2023 before guiding them to their first title in 11 years against Slovakia last year.

“It’s amazing, I didn’t expect it,” Paolini said.

“It’s been a really great week and it’s amazing to play this competition.

“They [United States] were very strong today. It was really tough.”

World number 91 Elisabetta Cocciaretto earlier put Italy’s first point on the board with a 6-4 6-4 win over Emma Navarro.

The 24-year-old battled from 4-2 down in the second set to beat world number 18 Navarro in just one hour and 19 minutes.

The United States, who knocked out Great Britain in the semi-finals on Saturday, were going for a record-extending 19th title in their first final since 2018.

They have not won the women’s team tournament since 2017.