SAN DIEGO(AP) Teenager CoCo Vandeweghe makes her Fed Cup debut in her hometown against French Open champion Francesca Schiavone when the underdog United States faces defending champion Italy in the final beginning Saturday.
U.S. captain Mary Joe Fernandez picked the 18-year-old Vandeweghe over Melanie Oudin for No. 2 singles. The top U.S. singles player, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, will play Italy's No. 2, Flavia Pennetta in the second match Saturday.
Vandeweghe, the niece of former NBA star Kiki Vandeweghe, grew up in the luxury San Diego County enclave Rancho Santa Fe and now lives up the coast in Newport Beach.
The Fed Cup lost a lot of luster when Serena and Venus Williams dropped out due to injuries.
Italy beat the United States 4-0 in last year's final.