TENNIS in DEPTH.

Seventeen-time champion USA is in the final for the first time since 2003. It reached the last stage thanks to a stunning debut from Alexa Glatch, which saw her upset two higher-ranked players and a stirring fightback from Liezel Huber and Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the deciding doubles against Czech Republic in the semifinal. Captain Mary Joe Fernandez needs to do the ‘right’ thing and keep the team that put the US into the final together for the final against Italy. The Williams sisters, who refused to represent their country in the qurter and semi finals, should not be considered for the Fed Cup team. 

Italy has never defeated USA in Fed Cup, losing all nine previous meetings between the two nations. The last time they met was in the 2003 quarterfinal in Washington, where USA ran out 5-0 victors.

The ITF has announced that Circolo del Tennis “Rocco Polimeni” in Reggio Calabria will stage the 2009 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final between Italy and USA on 7-8 November. The tie will be held outdoors on clay. The selection of the venue is subject to a successful site visit by the ITF.

Reggio Calabria is located in southern Italy and is the largest and oldest city in the region and the second oldest city in Italy overall.

Italy ended Russia’s three-year unbeaten Fed Cup record to advance to the final for the third time in four years, and its first at home. Italy won its first Fed Cup title in 2006, defeating Belgium 3-2 in a dramatic final doubles rubber to become the first team to win the Fed Cup without playing a tie at home since the home-and-away format was adopted in 1995.

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