As the international break on the men’s football side winds down, it starts to get a little quiet in the sporting world.

The calm before the storm, perhaps, as club football returns with a bang this weekend.

But sport never sleeps, so there is always something happening while you are sleeping.

Italy’s triumph

Italy won the Billie Jean King Cup for the fifth time as Jasmine Paolini beat Rebecca Sramkova to secure a dominant 2-0 win over Slovakia.

World No 4 Paolini triumphed 6-2, 6-1 in the second singles rubber to follow up Lucia Bronzetti’s 6-2, 6-4 victory against Viktoria Hruncakova.

Italy were runners-up to Canada in last year’s final but went one better in Malaga to become world champions for the first time since 2013.

The victory capped a stunning year for Paolini who finished as runner-up at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

“Unbelievable year, unbelievable, to finish like this with the Billie Jean King Cup, it’s amazing, I don’t have words to describe it,” Paolini said. “I’m trying just to enjoy it.

“It’s important to understand where you are, I feel lucky to be in this position, I feel lucky to be part of this team … I’m really happy that this year we could bring the trophy home again.”