Roberta Vinci powers Italy past United States in Fed Cup quarterfinals

Rimini, Italy (4E Sports) – Roberta Vinci came through with a crucial win in the reverse singles before teaming up with Sara Errani to dispatch the United States 3-2 in the Fed Cup quarterfinals on Sunday.

Vinci, ranked 16th in the world, bounced back from a second opening singles loss to Varvara Lepchenko by trouncing Jamie Hampton 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 in three sets to force a decider in the best-of-five quarterfinal tie.

In the deciding doubles match, Italy brought in the reigning Australian Open women’s doubles champion instead of the originally scheduled doubles tandem of Nastassja Burnett and Karin Knapp.

Fortunately for the Italians, Vinci and Errani punished their American foes – Lepchenko and Liezel Huber – to seal their place in the semis of the Fed Cup.

Lepchenko had an amazing run in the United States’ Fed Cup quarterfinal stint, beating both Vinci and Errani in their singles matches.

Nevertheless, it’s Italy that is destined to face defending champion Czech Republic in the semis.

Led by Petra Kvitova, the Czechs booked their spot in the final four by trouncing Australia by a dominant 4-0 score.

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