KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP) Venus Williams beat Paula Kania 7-5, 6-2, and Sloane Stephens beat Magda Linette, 6-2 6-4 on Saturday to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead over Poland after the opening day of their Fed Cup first round.
The Americans are one match away from advancing to the World Group II semifinals in April.
Williams overcame a shaky start against Kania, who served for the first set but could not capitalize at 5-4.
Stephens had to battle back from 4-0 down in the second set against Poland's No. 1 player. Stephens won five straight games to take charge of the first match of the day.
Play continues Sunday in Hawaii with the reverse singles matches and the doubles match featuring Bethanie Mattek-Sands and CoCo Vandeweghe taking on Aljicja Rosolska and Klaudia Jans-Ignacik.
