Jessica Pegula admits failing to capitalize on her chances late in the first set against Jasmine Paolini was the game-changer and that's when the match went completely the Italian's way.
After Emma Navarro surprisingly lost to Elisabetta Cocciaretto, the pressure was on Pegula to win the second match of the Billie Jean King Cup final and keep the hopes alive for the United States. Unfortunately for the American, she didn't manage to do so after Paolini completed a 6-4 6-1 win to seal Italy's win and their sixth title in the competition.
Through the opening four games of the match, the two players were tied to four games apiece. Then, Pegula missed out on three break points in the ninth game before also losing her serve in the following game, and dropping the opener. The 2024 US Open finalist never recovered from losing the first set in such a way and she won only one game in the rest of the match.
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Pegula: The ninth game of the first set tipped the match in Paolini's favor
"Today wasn't our day, But we still have to be happy to have reached the final. The 4-4 game in the first set tipped the match in Jasmine's favor, and she then played great tennis in the second set as well. I felt almost in control at the start, but then things didn't go the way I hoped," Pegula said.
The United States' Billie Jean King Cup title drought extended and they remain without a title in the competition since 2017. American captain Lindsay Davenport didn't hide her disappointment but also gave credit to the Italian team by admitting they were better on that particular day.
"Congratulations to the Italian girls because they played so well: for our part, we hope to have another chance next year. We all tried to give our best, but it wasn't enough: we were focused on the goal, but sometimes we just don't score," Davenport said.
