The Fed Cup World Group semi-finals was from the the start to finish a tensed game between Italy and Ukraine as Italy finally emerge the winner with a 3-2 final score in Biella yesterday.
In the first reverse singles rubber, former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone battled past Kateryna Bondarenko 6-7(6) 7-5 6-4 in two hours 50 minutes to give Italy a 2-1 lead.
Italy’s Sara Errani retired with a right knee problem when trailing Lesia Tsurenko 6-1 3-0 in the second reverse singles to give Ukraine a crucial second point and keep them in the hunt for a semi-final spot.
But Flavia Pennetta and Roberta Vinci defeated Olga Savchuk and Lesia Tsurenko 7-5 0-6 6-1 in the decisive doubles to secure the victory and put Italy into the semi-finals.
