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Tennis | Fed Cup

Sara Errani © Gallo Images

Errani v Hampton to open Italy-US in Fed Cup tie



Seventh-ranked Sara Errani will play Jamie Hampton in the opening match of Italy's first-round Fed Cup series against the United States on Saturday.

In the second singles match on the indoor red clay court, Roberta Vinci faces 21st-ranked Varvara Lepchenko.

With both Williams sisters missing and Sloane Stephens also out, Hampton and Lepchenko are both making their Fed Cup debuts.

After reverse singles, Sunday's doubles features Nastassja Burnett and Karin Knapp for Italy against Liezel Huber and Melanie Oudin of the United States.

Italy beat the Americans in back-to-back finals in 2009 and 2010, the Azzurre's first two victories against the US following nine straight defeats.

Veterans Francesca Schiavone and Flavia Pennetta, who have struggled lately, were left off Italy's squad.

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