 Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 07 Nov 2009 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 07 Nov 2009 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 07 Nov 2009 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 07 Nov 2009 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 07 Nov 2009 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 07 Nov 2009 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 07 Nov 2009 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 07 Nov 2009 |
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| 07 Nov 2009 - Reggio Calabria - Emily Forder-White | |
| Pennetta gives Italy early lead |
Italy has taken a 1-0 lead in the 2009 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final, world No. 11 Flavia Pennetta defeating USA's No. 2 player Alexa Glatch 63 6-1 in just 1 hour 5 minutes.
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.
GAME, SET, MATCH ITALY 1-0
Pennetta 63 6-1 Glatch
Pennetta sets up match point at 40-0 with an ace and Glatch sends a return of serve sailing wide. A swift and expected first rubber victory for Italy and surely a relief for Pennetta if her concern for her ankle in the first game of this second set was anything to go by. She takes a bow. Forza Italia!
Pennetta 63 5-1 Glatch
Lazy play from Glatch, she's just not running for the end of Pennetta's shots, unlike a natural claycourt player. Pennetta's all over her opponent, wrong-footing her time and again, it's too late for a fightback from the American now.
Pennetta 63 4-1 Glatch
A love game for Flavia. The crowd are liking this, howling along in unison to the White Stripes at the changeover! And now it's the first sign of sunshine, how apt.
Pennetta 63 3-1 Glatch
Two straight beautiful forehands from Pennetta gets the break and a fist pump. She's cruising now.
Pennetta 63 2-1 Glatch
Back on serve in this second set. Both captains are in earnest conversation with their players at the changeover, while the next surge of fans enters the stadium. The match will be pretty much over for Glatch if she fails to hold serve in the next game.
Pennetta 63 1-1 Glatch
The previous game has instilled some fire in Flavia. She breaks to draw level. There's definitely a chill on court, the players are trying to get the better of the wind.
Pennetta 63 0-1 Glatch
Glatch breaks the Italian serve for the first time in the match. The first sloppy game from Pennetta, including two double faults. She's looking in a little trouble with her right ankle and for a brief moment she's bent double after a long, long baseline rally. She throws a ball in disgust as she fails to hold serve.
FIRST SET ITALY 1-0
Pennetta 6-3 Glatch
Glatch saves one break point at 0-40 with an ace, a second with some strong coverage of the net but hands Pennetta the break and the first set with a long forehand. Vania King is smiling and dancing at the changeover. Has she seen the score?
Pennetta 5-3 Glatch
Pennetta 4-3 Glatch
"USA, USA" coming from the bench, the girls are up on their feet as is captain Fernandez after Glatch wins the game convincingly with a cheeky drop shot. Emotions are all over Pennetta's face, very different to the American who's displaying guarded reactions to the course of the match.
Pennetta 4-2 Glatch
Two aces from Pennetta but Glatch seems to be picking up her game, showing a bit more aggression. Nice unreachable lob at Ad-40 from Pennetta seals the game for the Italian. Lea Pericoli and Nicola Pietrangeli applaud from the stands.
Pennetta 3-2 Glatch
40-15 game for Glatch.
Pennetta 3-1 Glatch
The Italian consolidates the break by wrong-footing Glatch with a neat forehand. She's patiently punishing that Glatch backhand to great effect. Nice Italian contingency in the crowd with some makeshift musical instruments in tow.
Pennetta 2-1 Glatch
Glatch is trying to mix up the pace in this third game but Pennetta gets the first break of the match. Glatch appears a little tight, a little reticent.
Pennetta 1-1 Glatch
On serve after Glatch nets a forehand. We'll be watching out for Pennetta's right ankle which has some strapping.
Pennetta 0-1 Glatch
Glatch holds serve to take the opening game, Pennetta slightly struggling with her backhand. Liezel Huber is already making her voice heard from the American bench.
11:10 The players are warming up, overlooked by umpire Enric Molina in the chair, flanked by captains Corrado Barazzutti and Mary Joe Fernandez. Let's hope the weather holds up for this opening day, it's grey skies and a slight wind hitting the Centre Court here at the Circolo del Tennis Rocco Polimeni.
Glatch to serve first.
11:00
Welcome to the 2009 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final everyone.... the teams are on court, the crowd is standing for the national anthems and the stands are filling up ready for the first match between Italy's No. 1 player Flavia Pennetta and American Alexa Glatch.
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Related audio
 Interview with Flavia Pennetta (ITA) - Saturday
Interview with Alexa Glatch (USA) - Saturday
 
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