Pennetta keeps Italy in Fed Cup tie

Flavia Pennetta drew double defending champions Italy level in their Fed Cup World Group I tie against Australia with a gutsy victory over the hosts’ leading player Samantha Stosur yesterday.

World No.16 Pennetta maintained her edge over the world number five Stosur, winning 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (5/7), 6-4 in over three hours to have the teams level at 1-1 after the opening day in Hobart.

Jarmila Groth gave Australia the early advantage with a spirited comeback victory over world number four Francesca Schia-vone, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-3.

Pennetta stretched her winning record over Stosur to four matches to leave the tie balanced heading into today’s reverse singles and potentially decisive doubles match.

Groth, ranked 31, fought from a set and a service break down to prevail over the French Open champion Schiavone in two-and-a-half hours to claim the biggest win of her career.

After Groth’s heroics, Australia were hoping that Stosur would put them two up and in a powerful position in the home tie, but she was unable to serve out the first set from 5-3 up nor the second from 5-4 in front.

In a rematch of their French Open decider last year, Stosur plays Schiavone in today’s opening reverse singles rubber before Groth takes on Pennetta for the first time since their only previous encounter four years ago in Toronto, won by the Italian.

Australian captain David Taylor has named Anastasia Rodionova to partner veteran Rennae Stubbs in the doubles against Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani.

Other results: Russia vs France 0-2; Slovakia vs Czech Rep. 0-2; Belgium vs US 2-0.