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Defending champions Italy advanced to the semi-finals of the Fed Cup with a 4-1 demolition of Ukraine. Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone sealed a place in the last four with a win each on Day 2 over the Bondarenko sisters, Alona and Kateryna respectively. Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci then teamed up in the doubles to complete the rout.

Italy's opponents in the semis are the Czech Republic, who narrowly overcame Germany 3-2. Lucie Hradecka had given the Czechs a 2-1 lead in the morning with a 6-1, 7-6 (5) win over Andrea Petkovic before Anna-Lena Groenefeld fought back from a set down to beat Petra Kvitova to bring the tie level at 2-2. Hradecka and Kveta Peschke were, however, too strong for the Germans in the deciding doubles, running away with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Groenefeld and Tatjana Malek.

In the other semi-final, Russia will take on the United States of America. Russia won a thrilling contest with Serbia 3-2, while USA beat France 4-1.

Jelena Jankovic gave Serbia a 2-1 lead over Russia by beating French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3 ,4-6, 6-3, but young Alisa Kleybanova routed the rapidly declining Ana Ivanovic 6-2, 6-3 to draw Russia level. Kleybanova and Kuznetsova then teamed up in the doubles to beat Jankovic and Ivanovic to complete the comeback win.

USA came into Day 2 as the only side with a 2-0 lead, and Melanie Oudin wrapped up the tie winning the first reverse singles against Frenchwoman Julie Coin 7-6 (3), 6-4.

The World Group semifinals will be played on 24-25 April, and Italy and the US will have home court advantage.

In the World Group Play-offs, the four World Group first round losers, France, Germany, Serbia and Ukraine, will be joined by the four World Group II first round winners, Australia, Belgium, Estonia and Slovak Republic. The draw to see who plays who will take place on 10th February, with the matches themselves also scheduled for the 24-25 April.

Scores:

ITALY defeated UKRAINE 4-1
Alona Bondarenko (UKR) d. Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 61 64
Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) 75 63
Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Alona Bondarenko (UKR) 75 76(3)
Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) 26 61 61
Sara Errani/Roberta Vinci (ITA) d. Mariya Koryttseva/Viktoria Kutuzova (UKR) 61 63

CZECH REPUBLIC defeated GERMANY 3-2
Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) d. Lucie Safarova (CZE) 62 62
Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Andrea Petkovic (GER) 64 64
Lucie Hradecka (CZE) d. Andrea Petkovic (GER) 61 76(5)
Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) d. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 46 63 62
Lucie Hradecka/Kveta Peschke (CZE) d. Anna-Lena Groenefeld/Tatjana Malek (GER) 61 63

RUSSIA defeated SERBIA 3-2
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) d. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 61 64
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) 46 64 60
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 63 46 63
Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) d. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 62 63
Alisa Kleybanova/Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) d. Ana Ivanovic/Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 61 64

USA defeated FRANCE 4-1
Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) d. Alize Cornet (FRA) 76(7) 75
Melanie Oudin (USA) d. Pauline Parmentier (FRA) 64 64
Melanie Oudin (USA) d. Julie Coin (FRA) 76(3) 64
Pauline Parmentier (FRA) d. Christina McHale (USA) 64 64
Liezel Huber/Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) d. Stephanie Cohen-Aloro/Alize Cornet (FRA) 62 63

File Photograph Copyright: Constantini (Italian Open)