TENNIS in DEPTH.

It was a cold, wet, hostile atmosphere that greeted the underdog USA Fed Cup team on the first day of competition, and not surprisingly Italy has jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 2009 Fed Cup Final. World No. 11 Flavia Pennetta defeating USA’s No. 2 player Alexa Glatch 6-3 6-1 in just 1 hour 5 minutes, followed by Francesca Schiavone dismissing Melanie Oudin in straight sets 7-6, 6-2.

Pennetta faced little resistance from her 132-ranked opponent, and dispelled any concern for her strapped right ankle en route to victory. The Italian was broken just once in the opening game of the second set, but recuperated to play some sparkling and aggressive tennis, in stark contrast to a lackadaisical looking Glatch who despite strong support from her team bench, mentally couldn’t quite find her way into the match.

Melanie Oudin’s mood was a carbon copy of Glatch’s. Both American players found themselves on the defensive from the opening serve, and played like the underdogs that they are. Unless a minor miracle descends on the team prior to the reverse singles matches, it wil be Arrivederci for the USA.

Oudin is scheduled to begin proceedings tomorrow against Pennetta, needing a victory to keep the USA’s hopes alive.

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