|
|
| 02 Nov 2009 | |
| Italy & USA to contest Fed Cup Final |
Italy will bid to end a nine-match losing streak against USA when the two nations contest the 2009 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final in Reggio Calabria on 7-8 November. Italy is attempting to win its second title in four years, while USA is looking for its first triumph since 2000.
Italy will start the tie as favourites following two impressive victories earlier this year – a 5-0 first round triumph over France in Orleans, and a 4-1 semifinal win over defending champion Russia in Castellaneta Marina.
The hosts name an unchanged team for the third tie running, headed by world No. 11 Flavia Pennetta and No. 17 Francesca Schiavone, who both contributed three singles victories en route to the Final. Sara Errani and doubles specialist Roberta Vinci complete the Italian line-up.
USA meanwhile relies on the nucleus of the team that has twice recovered 2-1 deficits to score 3-2 victories over Argentina in Surprise, Arizona, and Czech Republic in Brno.
They are led by US Open quarterfinalist Melanie Oudin, 18, who won a vital singles match against Argentina, and 20-year-old Alexa Glatch, who scored two victories against Czech Republic. Completing the US team are doubles world No. 1 Liezel Huber, who won the deciding doubles rubber in both ties, and Vania King, a late replacement for Serena Williams.
USA, Fed Cup champion a record 17 times, holds a 9-0 career record against Italy, who won its lone Fed Cup title in 2006. Their last meeting was back in 2003, when USA won their quarterfinal tie 5-0 in Washington en route to its last appearance in the Final. Italy has enjoyed the greater success in recent years, its 2006 triumph the first of three Final appearances in four years.
The Official Fed Cup Website - fedcup.com - features all the latest news from the Final. During the weekend, the website will provide live scoring, streaming, commentary, reports, blogs, photos and interviews. The Final will also be streamed online via the new Official Fed Cup Video Website - fedcup.tv - and you can follow it on Twitter - twitter.com/FedCup.
The draw for the Final will take place on Friday 6 November at 12 noon local time (11:00 GMT).
^ Back to Top
|
