Jasmine Paolini praises Iga Swiatek for what she did in the third set after ‘different’ match against her at the Billie Jean King Cup

Jasmine Paolini suffered an agonising defeat to Iga Swiatek before winning the deciding doubles match at the Billie Jean King Cup semi-finals.

The Italian suffered a fourth successive loss to the reigning French Open champion, in what was their first meeting since their meeting in the clay court Grand Slam final in June.

For the first time in her career, Paolini took a set off the World number two, but the Pole stormed back to claim a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 win.

This was a crucial victory for Poland as this levelled the tie at one victory apiece, but Paolini had the last laugh as she won the deciding doubles match with Sara Errani to send Italy through to the Billie Jean King Cup final.

How did Iga Swiatek come from behind to defeat Jasmine Paolini at the Billie Jean King Cup?

Iga Swiatek’s back was against the wall as she found herself a set down Jasmine Paolini at the Billie Jean King Cup finals.

A defeat would have knocked Poland out of the tournament, but the five-time Grand Slam winner showed her fight and battled back and broke serve in the ninth game of the second set to level the match.

Swiatek raised her level in set three and continued applying pressure on Paolini’s serve, while saving 13 of the 16 break points she faced in the two-hour and 33 minute epic.

But the 28-year-old regrouped to win the deciding doubles match with Sara Errani to send Italy through. Post-match, Paolini explained what Swiatek was able to do to come from behind to defeat her in the singles contest.