Defending champions Italy became the first team to reach the semifinals of the Billie Jean Cup in Shenzen after a 2-0 win over host team China.
In the first match Elisabetta Cocciaeretto came back from one set down to beat Yue Yuan 4-6 7-5 7-5 in 2 hours and 52 minutes.
Yuan wo the first set 6-4 and built a 5-2 lead. Cocciaretto fought back to win five consecutive games and clinched the second set 7-5. Yuan broke twice to lead 4-0 and 5-2. Cocciaretto fought back to draw level to 5-5. Cocciaretto earned another break and hel serve to win the third set 7-5.
Jasmine Paolini pulled off a second come-back when she beat Wang Xinyu 4-6 7-6 6-4.
Wang Xinyiu broke in the eighth game to win the first set 6-4. The Chinese player earned another break to take a 5-3 lead but Paolini fought back to win the tie-break of the second set.
Paolini earned an early break to open up a 2-0 lead in the third set, but Xinyu broke twice to take a 4-2 lead. Paolini came back by winning four games in a row to seal the third set 6-4.
Italy will face the winner of the match between Spain and Ukraine.
