HOBART, AUSTRALIA: Francesca Schiavone and Flavia Pennetta combined to keep Italy's title defence on track against Australia in Hobart. With the overnight score level at 1-1, Schiavone beat Samantha Stosur and Pennetta beat Jarmila Groth, handing the visitors an unassailable lead. The final rubber gave Italy a 4-1 win and also stretched Roberta Vinci’s record unbeaten doubles run to 16-0. Italy travels to Russia in the World Group semifinals.
The full results are listed below.
R1: Jarmila Groth (AUS) d. Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 67(4) 63 63
R2: Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 76(5) 67(5) 64
R3: Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 76(1) 36 75
R4: Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Jarmila Groth (AUS) 63 62
R5: Sara Errani / Roberta Vinci (ITA) d. Anastasia Rodionova / Rennae Stubbs (AUS) 26 76(1) 64