Schiavone stuns Mauresmo

Francesca Schiavone produced an inspired performance to beat a ragged Amelie Mauresmo 7-5 6-3 and bring holders Italy level at 1-1 in their Fed Cup semi-final with France yesterday.

Mauresmo, who lost her Wimbledon crown last week after losing to Nicole Vaidisova, struggled with her serve throughout and struck a number of mishits to the delight of the home crowd at the clay court on Italy's south coast.

Seven breaks of serve littered the first set but Schiavone grabbed the most crucial break in the 11th game thanks to a superb passing shot down the line.

She held her nerve to take the set 7-5 and then broke the world number six again in a marathon first game of the second set.

Schiavone, ranked 31 in the world and Italy's number three, never looked troubled from there on and some determined running around the court spurred her to another break and a famous victory.

Earlier, Tatiana Golovin overcame Italy's Tathiana Garbin 6-3 2-6 6-2 to give France a 1-0 lead.

The reverse singles and doubles match take place today. Russia face the United States in the other semi-final.