Italy routs weakened US team to clinch second Fed Cup title

Italy easily won its second Fed Cup title last weekend after routing the weakened United States team 4-0 in the outdoor claycourts in Reggio Calabria.

During the first day of competitions, world number 11 Flavia Pennetta defeated Alexa Glatch 6-3, 6-1 while number 16 Francesca Schiavone edged out teenager Melanie Oudin 7-6, 6-2.

The US team had a tough task ahead in the competitions after its highest ranked players Serena and Venus Williams did not participate in the final. Both players reached the finals of the Sony Ericsson Championships a week before.
“It’s a very nice feeling. We worked hard to get to this point; finally we made it,” Pennetta said after the match.

“I could have played better on some points. The first set was so close and I had chances, so if a couple things went my way or if I hit this shot on that point, it would’ve changed the momentum. But after she won the first set, just like what happened yesterday, she kind of ran away with it. Someday, when I’m in the Fed Cup final again, hopefully I’ll be able to pull out the win,” Oudin said.

The Italian team first hoisted the Fed Cup trophy three years ago after beating Belgium. The team settled for the runner-up honors in 2007 after losing to Russia.

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