HOBART, Australia (AP) — Francesca Schiavone outlasted Sam Stosur 7-6 (1), 3-6, 7-5 to give two-time defending champion Italy a 2-1 lead over Australia in their Fed Cup World Group match.
In a replay of their French Open final, won last year by Schiavone, Stosur saved three match points in the 10th game of the deciding set, but the Italian clinched the match with a service break two games later.
Flavia Pennetta will attempt to clinch the match for Italy when she plays Jarmila Groth in the second reverse singles Sunday.
On Saturday, Groth beat No. 4 Schiavone 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-3 before Pennetta beat No. 5-ranked Stosur 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 6-4.
