J. PAOLINI/Wang Xinyu
4-6, 7-6, 6-4
Team Italy - 2
Team China - 0
THE MODERATOR: Jasmine, Tathiana, can you both summarize a bit of this day that you both had. Unbelievable.
CAPTAIN TATHIANA GARBIN: You start (smiling).
JASMINE PAOLINI: Yeah, was a really tough day. Two matches, really tough. Both of them we almost lost the match. Somehow we turned the match.
I think we fought until the last ball, the last point. We stayed there for our bench, for our country. It was tough, but we did it. I think we are really, really happy and proud of ourself.
CAPTAIN TATHIANA GARBIN: Yeah, agree. Every time my player wear the national T-shirt, I feel they've been able to reach energy and proud, everything they can to be part of this big, big tournament, which is a big manifestation in the Billie Jean King Cup.
So we proud to represent our country. We proud to be here together and fight. The end I don't think was easy. Both match very tough, with tough condition. But was a great journey.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Jasmine, how much inspiration did you take from Elisabetta's performance, especially when you were down in the third set?
JASMINE PAOLINI: A lot. Honestly, when I was 6-4 up, 5-3, I thought about the match of Elisabetta. I tried to stay there. In tennis you every know what can happen. This time was good for us, both matches. I think we stay there until the last point. Maybe a little bit of luck, as well. We turn around the match.
But was a crazy day (smiling).
Q. Can you talk about the atmosphere, as well. You were working against the opponent, but also the crowd.
JASMINE PAOLINI: Yes, it's tough, but the same time it's nice to play in front of many people. Of course, they were cheering for China. I think they were very respectful for us, as well. It was good to have this atmosphere I think in this kind of competition.
Q. Captain, what do you think this kind of win says about your team and how they have so much fight, clearly? They just need to find a way to win.
CAPTAIN TATHIANA GARBIN: We carry on. A great win. Another experience. When you down and you almost lose, then you find, you reach the energy to keep fighting and do it until the end is the maximum, powerful things that a captain can ask from my players.
I'm proud of my player every time, but today little bit more (smiling).
Q. Jasmine, I notice you guys were yelling allez, allez.
JASMINE PAOLINI: Allez, allez (smiling).
Q. You were also talking to yourself when you were losing points or winning points. What went through your mind? Explain that word for me.
JASMINE PAOLINI: Allez is like jaiou (laughter).
Q. What went through your mind when you were talking to yourself?
JASMINE PAOLINI: I was telling to myself that I have to stay there, to think about what I have to do with more positivity. I step on court, I think I was a bit nervous. I couldn't focus on my game 100%. That's why I think my level was a little bit going up and down. I was telling to myself those kind of word.
Hopefully for the next round I'm going to be more positive, more relaxed and enjoy more the match 'cause we have to raise the level I think a little bit in the semifinal.
Q. Can you comment about Xinyu's performance.
JASMINE PAOLINI: Yeah, I think she played a really good level of tennis. The dropshots were pretty good. I was trying to catch the ball. Sometimes I did it, sometimes was too good, the dropshot.
I think she played an amazing level of tennis today. Was a tough match. I could lost, as well. Was really tight. But in the end of course I'm happy I won for myself and for the team.
Q. After the game, there were crazy Chinese fans waving and cheering at you, threw the balls. How do you feel?
JASMINE PAOLINI: Yes, after the match actually I felt the love from them. But yeah, I asked them to come for the next round and hopefully we can hear some 'Jaiou, Italy' (laughter). That's the goal for the next round. Hopefully the Chinese crowd, it's going to cheer for us.
I'm sorry for them, today we beat China. But I think we feel really, really good in China. Hopefully we are going to hear 'Jaiou, Italy'.
Q. Allez.
JASMINE PAOLINI: Allez.
CAPTAIN TATHIANA GARBIN: Forza, forza (smiling).
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports