Italy, Belgium Into Fed Cup Final

Belgium dominates USA, sets sights on another Fed Cup title

SEA'RENA, Belgium -- Despite the absence of recent Roland Garros champion Justine Henin-Hardenne, the Belgian team, led by Kim Clijsters, dominated the United States in their semifinal tie, 4-1.

Clijsters and younger compatriot Kirsten Flipkens survived three-setters in Saturday's first two singles rubbers, against Jamea Jackson and Jill Craybas, respectively. On Sunday, the pair again won a pair of singles rubbers, but in much different fashion. Clijsters steamrolled American teen Vania King, 60 61, while Flipkens won when Mashona Washington was forced to retire leading 62 13, after straining a right knee ligament. In the dead doubles rubber, Craybas and King beat Leslie Butkiewicz and Caroline Maes, 61 62, to close the gap to 4-1.

"This is what you play tennis for," Clijsters declared. "One of the best memories I have in my whole career is being able to play Fed Cup. For any tennis player it's the most beautiful situation to be in, to be able to play that final match or be able to win that last point for your country to take them into the finals."

Belgium is now through to its second Fed Cup final, having won the title in 2001.

"My original prediction was 4-1 but I almost choked when I said that the other day," laughed Belgian team captain Carl Maes. "The two matches on the first day were nerve-wracking after losing the first set in each of them, and now coming through is an overwhelming feeling."

Italy beats Spain, moves into first Fed Cup final

ZARAGOZA, Spain -- After having gone ahead 2-0 in their semifinal tie on Saturday, Italy split their two reverse singles rubbers with Spain on Sunday, with Flavia Pennetta notching the match-clinching victory to take her nation to the final for the first time in the Fed Cup's 44-year history.

On Day 1, Pennetta cruised past Anabel Medina Garrigues, 63 60, while Francesca Schiavone emerged victorious in a much tighter contest against Lourdes Dominguez Lino, 64 75. Although Schiavone fell to Medina Garrigues, 62 62, in Sunday's first reverse singles rubber, Pennetta gave the Italians an insurmountable 3-1 lead with a 62 64 victory over Dominguez Lino in the second reverse rubber. The doubles rubber, which was to pit Italian duo Romina Oprandi and Mara Santangelo against Spanish tandem Virginia Ruano Pascual and Maria Sanchez Lorenzo, was not played due to extreme heat.

"When Francesca lost, I started to get very nervous, and Romina and Mara were also nervous," stated Pennetta after clinching the tie. "But now they are so happy, they are in the pool to enjoy the day and the sun. This is unbelievable because in the beginning we didn't think we could make it to the final. It's an incredible sensation to win the last point."

In their first round tie, Schiavone and Pennetta helped their country take down Fed Cup overachievers France. That time Schiavone came up with the biggest win of the meet, taking down world No.1 Amelie Mauresmo for her best ever match victory. Now, Italy finds itself in its first ever Fed Cup championship final.

"It's a magnificent moment for us, it's true," said captain Corrado Barrazzuti. "It's a beautiful victory because it's the first time Italy will be in the Fed Cup final."

Russia, France secure 2007 World Group I berths

In addition to the four teams featuring in the semifinals, four teams who won World Group I Play-offs secured berths in the 2007 World Group I. Russia, who won this event in 2004 and 2005, defeated Croatia, 3-2; two-time champion France beat the Czech Republic, 3-2; booming tennis nation China routed Germany, 4-1; and Japan blanked Austria, 5-0.
-- WTA