Italy set up semi-final clash with Russia

ORLEANS, France, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Italy whitewashed France 5-0 in their Fed Cup first round tie on Sunday to set up a semi-final clash with champions Russia.
Flavia Pennetta earned the decisive point when she demolished a tearful Alize Cornet 6-2 6-2, enabling the visitors to complete a hat-trick of victories against France following wins in 2006 and 2007.
Former world number one Amelie Mauresmo was unable to stop the losing streak and was beaten 6-3 6-4 by unheralded Sara Errani.
Errani and Roberta Vinci beat Severine Bremond and Nathalie Dechy 6-4 6-4 in the doubles to complete the rout.
“We came close yesterday. It’s a harsh defeat,” said France captain Nicolas Escude.
Pennetta, who on Saturday received a verbal warning and was fined $2000 for making an obscene gesture towards the umpire during her match against Amelie Mauresmo, won nine points in succession to open a 5-2 lead and wrapped up the opening set by breaking Cornet’s serve.
The Italian’s forehand was devastating and Pennetta broke in the second game of the second set.
Although Cornet managed to break back, Pennetta stole her serve again in the sixth and the Frenchwoman burst into tears at change of ends after the seventh game.
At 40-40 in that game, she contested a Pennetta shot while the point was being played and was subsequently handed a penalty point by the umpire.
The Italian went on to hold serve and bagged the win on Cornet’s serve on her first match point as the Frenchwoman sent a backhand wide after 78 minutes.
“She was extremely frustrated during the whole match,” said Escude. “Her forehand did not work, she had no first serve.”
On Saturday, Pennetta saved a match point before beating Mauresmo and Francesca Schiavone defeated Cornet.
France asked for the Pennetta’s victory over Mauresmo on Saturday to be overturned, saying the Italian should have been disqualified after showing the middle finger to the umpire, but the request was not heard.
(Writing by Julien Pretot, editing by Pritha Sarkar)