Italy beat USA to lift Fed Cup title

Italy surged to their second Fed Cup title by destroying the United States 4-0 in the final yesterday.



Flavia Pennetta charged past Melaine Oudin 7-5, 6-2 in the third singles rubber to give an unassailable 3-0 lead to the hosts, who were helped by Serena and Venus Williams again opting not to compete for the USA.



Italy, who first won the trophy in 2006 and overcame defending champions Russia in this year’s semifinals, had never beaten the Americans in nine previous Fed Cup titles.



Pennetta, the world number 11, put Italy 1-0 up on Saturday when she comfortably beat Alexa Gatch, before a confident Francesca Schiavone also defeated Oudin.



The Americans, who have racked up a record 17 Fed Cup titles, but have not lifted the trophy since 2000, continually struggled and failed to win a set in the singles.