MILAN: Roberta Vinci secured Italy’s fifth Fed Cup final appearance in eight years yesterday after battling past Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic to give the hosts an unassailable lead on the red clay of Palermo.
Vinci’s 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 win over Safarova handed Italy a 3-1 lead ahead of the dead doubles rubber to be played yesterday afternoon.
Italy will now meet Russia, winners Sunday over Slovakia, in the final on November 2-3.
The hosts had powered to a 2-0 lead on Saturday after straight singles victories for Sara Errani and Vinci over Safarova and Petra Kvitova respectively.
Former Wimbledon winner Kvitova gave the Czechs hope of launching a fightback when she defeated Errani 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 on Sunday.
However, the day’s play, was soon halted by rain which had already disrupted proceedings, prompting the decision to carry the tie over to yesterday.
AFP
