STARNBERG, September 15, 2025

Defending champions Italy will take on host nation China, P.R. in a highly-anticipated opening day clash at the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals in Shenzhen on Tuesday. The Italians aim to continue the momentum from their title-winning season in 2024, while the Chinese team, led by Shenzhen-born Wang Xinyu, will bid to record a surprise result and reach the semifinals of the competition for just the second time.

“I think the China team is really strong. You are playing the home guys, so you have a big crowd beside you. I think it’s going to be tough for us. But we are a good team. We hope to play three good matches. We try our best, of course. But it’s going to be a really, really tough match,” Paolini said.

Spain face Ukraine on Wednesday in the other quarterfinal tie in the top half of the draw, while both ties in the bottom half (Kazakhstan v USA and Japan v Great Britain) will take place on Thursday.

“I think it’s an incredible honour to represent my country, first of all, to be here in the Finals for the first time, beside these amazing girls. We’ve been in the same team for a very, very long time. It’s going to be an amazing experience regardless of the outcome. We’re going to do our best. I believe in our team 100%. I think we have a very strong team, so I’m hoping for a lot of support,” Kostyuk said.

Teams updated the media on their preparations at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center Arena  on Monday. They also enjoyed the player welcome reception evening on Sunday – a chance to relax ahead of a week of fierce competition to be crowned 2025 world champions.

First time #BJKCup Finals appearance v Five-Time Champion

Watch Ukraine v Spain September 17 pic.twitter.com/cUu9sc91YM

— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) September 15, 2025