Francesca Schiavone repeated her French Open final triumph over Samantha Stosur on Sunday as Fed Cup holders Italy completed a 4-1 victory over Australia in their World Group last eight tie.
With the match tied at 1-1 after Saturday’s singles, world number four Schiavone prevailed 7-6 3-6 7-5 before Flavia Pennetta beat Jarmila Groth 6-3 6-2 to give Italy a first Fed Cup victory over Australia in six attempts.
The doubles rubber was academic, although it did allow Italy’s Roberta Vinci to equal a Fed Cup record as she and Sara Errani beat Anastasia Rodionova and Rennae Stubbs. It was Vinci’s 16th consecutive victory in Fed Cup doubles action.
“Yesterday we could have been 2-0 or 0-2, so we are happy to have won 3-1,” Pennetta said after sealing victory and a semi-final against either France or Russia. “It was tough for everyone because both teams are so good.”
France lead 2-0 after Saturday’s singles in Moscow. In the other half of the draw Belgium are 2-0 ahead against the United States and the Czech Republic lead Slovakia 2-0.
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