RIMINI, Italy — The United States was eliminated in the first round of the Fed Cup, losing to Italy 3-2 Sunday when Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci defeated Varvara Lepchenko and Liezel Huber in the decisive doubles match.
Errani and Vinci, the top-ranked doubles team, won 6-2, 6-2 against an understrength American team. The U.S. was without Serena and Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens because of injuries.
“I’m really proud of the team, they played their hearts out every single match,” U.S. captain Mary Joe Fernandez said. “We knew it was going to be an uphill battle.”
The U.S. led 2-1 after Lepchenko beat Errani 7-5, 6-2 in Sunday’s first reverse singles. But Vinci stopped Jamie Hampton 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 to set up the crucial doubles for Errani and Vinci, who ended the best-of-five World Group series.
“They both played a great match and Roberta did a couple of really exceptional shots at the net,” Italy captain Corrado Barazzutti said. “I don’t really say much to them when they play, they’re the best, what can you say? I try not to bother them when they play, they know each other so well.”
Italy will host defending champion Czech Republic in the semifinals, a rematch of last year’s semis. The Czech Republic defeated visiting Australia 4-0.
In the other semifinal, it’s Slovakia at Russia. Slovakia topped host Serbia 3-2, and host Russia downed Japan 3-2.
Italy was a big favorite to earn a third straight victory over the U.S. after beating the Americans in the Fed Cup finals in 2009 and ‘10.
Excellent play from Lepchenko, however, put the U.S. ahead after an error-strewn performance from Errani.
Lepchenko raced ahead 4-2 before Errani rallied to lead 5-4 and was serving for the set. But the 21st-ranked American broke again and took the next two games, securing the opening set when Errani hit a shot into the net.
Lepchenko moved in front 4-1 in the second set to earn a second straight victory in her Fed Cup debut after beating Vinci in three sets on Saturday.
“It was a long match yesterday,” Lepchenko said. “So I was up and down a bit, but once my body warmed up I started playing better and better, and then in the second set I got pumped and really got going. Clay is one of my favorite surfaces. I was born on clay, so I guess it comes to me naturally.”
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