Garcia wins to draw France level 1-1 with Italy in Fed Cup
MARSEILLE, France (AP) Caroline Garcia beat former French Open runner-up Sara Errani 6-3, 7-5 to move France level with Italy 1-1 after the opening day of their Fed Cup first-round tie on Saturday.
France coach Amelie Mauresmo will be relieved and frustrated in equal measure, after Kristina Mladenovic lost the opening singles to Camila Giorgi 1-6, 6-4, 6-1.
Mladenovic looked in control but was then let down badly by her serve, recording a measly 34 percent on her first serve.
Giorgi converted all three break-point chances in the deciding set to quieten the Palais des Sports crowd in Marseille.
When the teams met at the same stage last year, Italy led 2-0 and lost.
Garcia ensured France will not trail 2-0 before Sunday's reverse singles and doubles, breaking Errani's serve four times.
