Aussie girls to meet Fed Cup champions

French Open semifinalist Samantha Stosur will most likely lead the Australian Fed Cup team in its World Group clash against Italy in 2011.

The tie will see Australia play at home against the current No.1 seeds straight after the Australian Open, from 5 to 6 February 2011.

The Italians boast one of the strongest Fed Cup sides with the likes of French Open semifinalist Francesca Schiavone and Flavia Pennetta leading the team.

World No.7 Stosur could be joined by a range of Australian women with the No.2 singles position very much up for grabs between the likes of Jarmila Groth, Alicia Molik, Anastasia Rodionova and Casey Dellacqua.

Following the draw for the 2011 Fed Cup, held at Roland Garros in Paris yesterday, Australian Fed Cup Captain David Taylor said, “there was never going to be an easy opponent in the World Group”.

“Italy have had a tremendous record recently and are in another final again this year. They are a champion team and, like the Australian team, all their players are passionate about playing for their country.

“Italy will have two players in the top 10 next week so we need to gain strength in the next few months in our second singles spot. If we can do this, Australia has a very good chance to cause a big upset at home.”

Italy is the reigning Fed Cup title holder and has been the most successful country in women’s tennis for the past five years, with four appearances in the Fed Cup finals including this year’s final against the USA in November.

The Italians are current champions and are due to defend their 2009 Fed Cup title when they play the USA from the 6 to 7 November this year.

Australia's women earned elevation to the elite eight-nation World Group for the 2011 competition with a 5-0 victory in Ukraine in April.

Australia, seeded 7 in the Fed Cup, last met Italy in 1988 at Melbourne Park in Australia and currently leads the head-to-head match-ups 5-0.

It is the first time Australia has competed in the World Group since 2004.

Other nations that are due to meet in the World Group ties are Russia v France, Slovak Republic v Czech Republic and Belgium v USA.

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