REGGIO CALABRIA, Italy(AP) Alexa Glatch and Melanie Oudin have lost in straight sets to give Italy a 2-0 lead over the United States in the Fed Cup final.
Glatch lost to Flavia Pennetta 6-3, 6-1 and Francesca Schiavone rallied after a two-hour rain delay to defeat Oudin 7-6 (2), 6-2 on the outdoor red clay court at the Rocco Polimeni club.
Reverse singles and doubles were scheduled for Sunday in the best-of-five series.
The U.S. has won all nine of its previous meetings with Italy. But the Americans are without Serena and Venus Williams, who opted not to play after meeting in the season-ending tour championships last weekend in Doha, Qatar.