Brussels, Sep 17 (Xinhua) Belgium tied with Italy 1-1 after the two singles matches on the opening day of the Fed Cup final in Charleroi, Belgium.
Belgium, the 2001 champions, are the favourite to win the title with both world No. 2 Justine Henin-Hardenne and No. 4 Kim Clijsters in the team. But a wrist injury has prevented Clijsters from participating in the final.
Italy got off to a good start Saturday when world No. 14 Francesca Schiavone easily defeated Kirstin Flipkens 6-1, 6-3.
The Italian overran her opponent going 5-0 ahead in the first set on the Spiroudome's indoor hard court. Flipkens was then able to pull one game, but it was of no avail. Schiavone took the first set 6-1.
It was a similar picture in the second set. Flipkens was unable to keep up with the Italian and lost 3-6, giving Italy a 1-0 lead.
In the second match, Henin-Hardenne got off to a faltering start against Flavia Pennetta.
But the Belgian soon rebounded and went on to take the first set 6-4. Pennetta, currently ranked 20 in the WTA rankings, gave Henin-Hardenne a hard time during the second set. With an infection in her left eye and body fatigue out of last Sunday's US Open final, the Belgian struggled through the set.
But under pressure she displayed some top class tennis and went on to take the second set 7-5 before 6,000 home fans. This victory brought Belgium to level with Italy in the best of five final.
Italy has never won the top team competition in women's tennis.