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Roberta Vinci and Francesca Schiavone (ITA)

Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 15 Jul 2007

Italy celebrate

Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 15 Jul 2007

Nathalie Dechy and Severine Bremond (FRA)

Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 15 Jul 2007

Tatiana Golovin (FRA)

Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 15 Jul 2007

Francesca Schiavone (ITA)

Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 15 Jul 2007

Amelie Mauresmo (FRA)

Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 15 Jul 2007

Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 15 Jul 2007

Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 14 Jul 2007

Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 14 Jul 2007

Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 14 Jul 2007

Photographer: Corinne Dubreuil
Date: 14 Jul 2007

15 Jul 2007 - Nova Yardinia, Castellaneta Marina , Italy - Eli Weinstein - ITA v FRA

Italy back in the Finals to face Russia in Russia

The weekend was hot at Castellaneta Marina in southern Italy. Not only because the thermometer was constantly above 40 degrees celsius but also and mostly because the action offered at the semifinals of the 2007 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas by both the French and the Italian teams was purely thrilling.

The first day, witnessed the victory of Tatiana Golovin over Tathiana Garbin in three sets, 63 26 62. It was then the turn of Amelie Mauresmo to play her nemesis Francesca Schiavone. The Italian was like a bull in the ring and never gave Mauresmo a real chance to hope for the victory. That match ended 75 63 in favour of Schiavone. The only two set match of the tie

"Momo" hung tight to win in three sets

Day two had the reverse singles, but not really. As Garbin had to sit out with an injured foot, letting Mara Santangelo step in to try and give her team an advantage versus Amelie Mauresmo. France’s No. 1 player was not, however, about to lose two consecutive matches. And despite dropping the first set to the Italian, “momo” hung tight and came up with the win in three sets 67(5) 60 64. It was now the turn of Golovin and Schiavone. Golovin had the Italian where she wanted when she was up 5-2 in the third set, but the French blondy then suffered a complete and utter meltdown allowing her opponent to comeback and win the match, sending the two teams to a decisive doubles rubber.

Schiavone was back on court alongside Roberta Vinci who has yet to lose a doubles match in Fed Cup. They faced the Nathalie Dechy - Severine Bremond partnership. The French won the first set but was not able to stay on top and ended up conceding the match and the tie.

Schiavone, the hero of the weekend

Italy on the other hand is back in the finals. They were down 2-1 to the French but never stopped believing. Especially Schiavone, who will be remembered as the hero of the weekend giving her team two and a half points.

The Italians will face Russia in Russia and will be hoping for a repeat of 2006 as they are the title-holders having won last year over Belgium in Belgium. Russia leads that head-to-head three zero, but the Italians surely hope to change that.

Related Links on other websites

> Infos en francais - FFT
> Informazioni in Italiano - FIT

Related Links on Fedcup.com

> Tie Information
> Scorecards and stats from this tie
> Schiavone sends Italy back to the Final
> Down to the wire in Italy
> Schiavone cancels out French advantage
> Tale of two Tatianas

Related audio

Interview with Francesca Schiavone (ITA)

Interview with Amelie Mauresmo (FRA)

Interview with Captain Georges Goven (FRA)

Interview with Nathalie Dechy (FRA)

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