Tennis

Australia takes early lead over Italy

Published Feb. 5, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Australia 1, Italy 0

Jarmila Groth beat French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-3 on Saturday to give Australia the lead in its Fed Cup matchup against Italy.

Australia No. 1 Sam Stosur was scheduled to play Flavia Pennetta in the second singles match. Stosur has not beaten Pennetta in three meetings.

Making her Fed Cup debut, Groth came from a set and service break down to secure the win in 2 1/2 hours, including a 13-minute rain delay. The rain came with Groth holding three match points and No. 4-ranked Schiavone dumped a forehand into the net upon the players' return.

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