Malaga, Spain ¨C Italy became the first nation through to the Billie Jean King Cup semifinals after beating Japan 2-1 with a deciding doubles victory by Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani over Shuko Aoyama and Eri Hozumi on Saturday.
Italy¡¯s next opponent is Poland, which got past the Czech Republic thanks to world No. 2 Iga Swiatek.
Italy¡¯s tie with Japan was tied 1-1 after Paolini, the French Open and Wimbledon runner-up, beat 56th-ranked Moyuka Uchijima 6-3, 6-4 in the second singles match to put the Italians on the board.
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