Italy rally to clinch Billie Jean King Cup final return

They will now try to go one better than last year, when they were beaten in the final by Canada, and will be favourites in the title decider on Wednesday. Great Britain and Slovakia meet in the second semi-final on Tuesday.

Lucia Bronzetti began the tie by defeating Magda Linette 6-4 7-6 (7-3), but Swiatek recovered from a set down to claim a 3-6 6-4 6-4 victory over Paolini in a rematch of the French Open final. 

That set up the deciding doubles with Swiatek and Paolini again on opposite sides of the net. 

Ultimately it was the Italians who came out on top, Errani hitting an underarm serve on match point for her 28th win in the competition. 

That took the 37-year-old past Francesca Schiavone to become Italy's most successful player in the tournament's history.