Italy in command in Fed Cup semis

Italy's Fed Cup team celebrate a successful first day in Rome

Reigning champions Italy took control of their Fed Cup semi-final against the Czech Republic by winning the opening two singles rubbers on clay in Rome.

Flavia Pennetta ground out a 6-4 7-5 win over Lucie Hradecka, and Francesca Schiavone beat Lucie Safarova 6-0 6-2.

The second semi between the United States and Russia is tied at 1-1.

Melanie Oudin put the hosts ahead in Alabama, with a 6-3 6-3 win over Alla Kudryavtseva, but Elena Dementieva beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-4 6-3.

Aiming for their fourth final in five years, Italy made a perfect start despite a brief rain delay.

Pennetta took her time to get going and was 4-1 down in the first set before turning it around by winning five games on the trot.

The second set followed an almost identical pattern, with the world number 15 again going down 4-1 before hitting back to win 7-5.

World number 17 Schiavone had a much easier time against Safarova, who offered little resistance.

"We followed all the tactics and now we can enjoy this beautiful point," said Schiavone.

In Birmingham, Oudin, 18, smacked 18 winners and took advantage of 39 unforced errors by Kudryavtseva to seal victory in 78 minutes.

Dementieva, the world number six connected on 72 percent of her first serves and converted three of her five break-point chances while surrendering her serve only once against the 129th-ranked Mattek-Sands.

The American team are without Serena and Venus Williams for the indoor hardcourt tie, who both absent because of leg injuries.

Both ties continue on Sunday with the reverse singles rubbers followed by a doubles match.

buy marlboro cigarettes | tadacip bestellen | kamagra oral jelly france