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NANCY, France, April 22 - In-form Francesca
Schiavone came from behind to tame Nathalie Dechy 6-7 6-3 6-3
and give Italy a 1-0 lead in their Fed Cup first-round tie
against France on Saturday. Dechy, called up after experienced Mary Pierce and talented
Tatiana Golovin were forced out because of injuries, was put
under constant pressure by the world number 11. The Frenchwoman saved three set points at 6-5 before she
took the tiebreak with a superb forehand passing shot. Schiavone, playing more aggressively, broke her opponent's
serve twice in a row to lead 4-1 in the second set and wrapped
it up thanks to a winning forehand. In the final set, the Italian proved too consistent for
Dechy and snatched victory on her first match point, a powerful
smash. "I felt rather good in the opening set but then she
(Schiavone) lifted the level of her play," Dechy said. "She hit
the ball pretty hard and it was hard to return her strokes. "I gave too many points away during the third set. I
squandered a break at 4-3 and I missed the chance to come back
into the match," she added. In the second singles rubber world number one Amelie
Mauresmo takes on Italy's Flavia Pennetta. (Writing by Pierre Serisier in Paris)
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