Italy moved to the brink of a place in the Fed Cup final with straight-sets singles wins from Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone putting the holders 2-0 up against the Czech Republic yesterday.

Pennetta fought back in both sets to seal a 6-4 7-5 victory over Lucie Hradecka in the first rubber on the Foro Italico's clay.

Italy's Schiavone barely broke sweat in dispatching Lucie Safarova in the second singles match, winning 6-0 6-2 as the sun began to shine.

The Italians can seal their place in November's final against last year's runners-up United States or Russia, who start their semi-final later, with a point in today's reverse singles or doubles rubber.

Pennetta went 4-1 down in the first set under grey skies but powerful Hradecka soon lost her radar and the set.

It was a similar story in the next set with both players looking inconsistent before Pennetta secured the win when the Czech's lob went long.

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