Italy secured its third FED Cup title in three years after Flavia Pennetta crushed American teen Coco Vandeweghe 6-1, 6-2 in the fourth rubber of the event. This placed Italy in a 3-1 lead over the United States and the doubles rubber later on won’t affect the outcome of the tournament.
Earlier, American Melanie Oudin stunned French Open 2010 champion Francesca Schiavone when the the latter was defeated easily in two sets which reduced Italy’s lead to 2-1.
Vandeweghe is a Fed Cup rookie who lost to Schiavone on Saturday and could not produce winners to subdue Pennetta, who finished at the top of the rankings in doubles after winning the Doha Championships with partner Gisela Dulko of Argentina.
Italy defeated the U.S. team in home soil last year. This year’s final was held in San Diego, California.
