Italy hammer United States to win Fed Cup

By Mark Meadows

REGGIO CALABRIA, Italy (Reuters) - Italy surged to their second Fed Cup title by destroying the United States 4-0 in the final on Sunday.

Flavia Pennetta charged past Melanie Oudin 7-5 6-2 in the third singles rubber to give an unassailable 3-0 lead to the hosts, who were helped by Serena and Venus Williams again opting not to compete for the U.S.

Italy, who first won the trophy in 2006 and overcame defending champions Russia in this year's semi-finals, had never beaten the Americans in nine previous Fed Cup ties.

"It's incredible, the girls have rewritten the history of Italian tennis," captain Corrado Barazzutti told reporters at the courtside before being showered with champagne.

Pennetta, the world number 11, put Italy 1-0 up on Saturday when she comfortably beat Alexa Glatch before a confident Francesca Schiavone also defeated Oudin.

The Americans, who have racked up a record 17 Fed Cup titles but have not lifted the trophy since 2000, continually struggled and failed to win a set in the singles.

EARLY BOOST