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• Paolini and Bronzetti seal fifth Billie Jean King Cup for Italy

  Victories for Jasmine Paolini and Lucia Bronzetti handed Italy their fifth Billie Jean King Cup title as they overcame Slovakia in Wednesday's final in Malaga.

  Italy, who were beaten in last year's final by Canada, overcame Poland in the semi-finals on Monday as Paolini partnered Sara Errani for a decisive doubles win over world number two Iga Swiatek and Katarzyna Kawa.

  The showpiece contest began with Bronzetti triumphing 6-2 6-4 against Viktoria Hruncakova, before Paolini took to the court to face Rebecca Sramkova.

  The world number four – who won doubles gold at the Paris Olympics in August to cap her breakout year – eased past Sramkova by a 6-2 6-1 scoreline to ensure a doubles match was not required.

  Speaking after Italy claimed the trophy for the first time since 2011, Bronzetti heaped praise upon her team-mate and revealed she had struggled to sleep before playing in front of 12-time grand slam champion King.

  "Jasmine raised her level really high this year. She's an example for all of us," Bronzetti said.

  Asked about King's presence in the crowd, Bronzetti added: "She is a great person, a great legend. I didn't sleep very well.

  "You're not playing just for yourself. You're playing for your team and your country. We all want this trophy, and it is our dream, all Italians."

  Data Debrief: Five-star Italy

  Italy have claimed their fifth Billie Jean King Cup, having previously triumphed in 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2013.

  Only the United States (18), Czechoslovakia/Czechia (11) and Australia (seven) have won more. Spain and Russia (also including the USSR and Russian Tennis Federation) have also tasted success five times.

• Germany set up Netherlands semi-final showdown at Davis Cup

  Germany booked their place in the Davis Cup semi-finals after wrapping up a 2-0 victory over Canada in Malaga.

  Daniel Altmaier and Jan-Lennard Struff were both victorious over Gabriel Diallo and Denis Shapovalov respectively, to set up a last-four clash with the Netherlands.

  Germany were beaten 2-1 by Canada when the nations met at this stage of the 2022 Davis Cup, but they drew first blood when Altmaier came through a hard-fought clash with Diallo 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.

  It looked like the tie would go to a doubles decider when former Wimbledon semi-finalist Shapovalov took the opening set against Struff.

  But the world number 43 bounced back to prevail 4-6 7-5 7-6 (7-5) after two hours and seven minutes.

  "Denis was playing amazingly, coming out firing," Struff said. "It was a very tough match. He was serving so well. It was tough to return. The court is very fast. An incredible match. I'm just happy to get over the line at the end."

  On Friday's semi-final with the Dutch, he added: "It's a big step for us to go from the quarters to the semis. For sure, we want to win and go to the final now.

  "Netherlands played an amazing match yesterday, beating Spain here in front of a home crowd. We expect a very tough opponent."

  Data Debrief: Germany through as errors cost Canada

  The two tie-breaks proved pivotal as the Germans secured only their second Davis Cup semi-final appearance since 2008 (also reaching that stage in 2021).

  Though both sets were tight during the first match, Diallo hit 40 unforced errors to Altmaier's 17, and was 6-1 for double faults.

  Similarly, in the second rubber, though Shapovalov was 27-8 for aces, 13 double faults to just four from Struff proved costly.

  Altmaier and Struff's reward is a first meeting with the Netherlands since the 2001 quarter-finals, which the Dutch won 4-1.

• Nadal achieved more than he 'ever dreamed' in glittering career

  Rafael Nadal says he achieved more than he "ever dreamed" in his tennis career after it came to a close with Spain's quarter-final exit at the Davis Cup Finals.

  The Spaniard lost the final match of his career, suffering a 6-4 6-4 defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp in the opener in Malaga, despite the backing of the home crowd.

  Nadal became the Spanish player with the most matches played in the Davis Cup in the last 30 years, with his final match his 43rd. He surpassed Feliciano Lopez.

  It was his first competitive tennis match since losing to great rival Novak Djokovic at the Paris Olympics in August.

  Though Carlos Alcaraz drew Spain level in the quarter-final by winning his singles match, the Netherlands triumphed in doubles to knock the home favourites out and draw an end to Nadal's glittering career.

  Nadal, a 22-time grand slam winner, reflected on how he would like to be remembered.

  "I'd like to be remembered as a kid that achieved more than I ever dreamed," Nadal said during an on-court presentation.

  "I have been very lucky in the life I have had the opportunity to live. I have lived unforgettable experiences because of tennis.

  "I was just a kid that followed their dreams, worked as hard as possible to be where I am today.

  "The titles, numbers, they're there. People probably know that. The way I'd like to be remembered most is as a good person from a small village in Mallorca."

  Nadal retires having won five Davis Cup titles throughout his career, in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2019. He retires with 22 men's Grand Slam titles, 92 ATP-level singles titles, including 36 Masters titles and an Olympic gold medal.

  Following Spain's exit, he was invited on to court to address the crowd, while an emotional tribute with messages from his rivals played.

  "I leave with the peace of mind that I have left a legacy, which I really feel is not just a sporting one but a personal one," Nadal said.

  "I understand that the love I have received, if it was just for what happened on the court, would not be the same."