US drawn against Italy in Fed Cup playoffs

Posted February 09, 2015 10:00 pm

The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) - The U.S. will have to beat Italy in Italy for the first time in 16 years to return to the top tier of the Fed Cup.

Italy and the Americans were drawn on Tuesday in the World Group playoffs from April 18-19.

In other pairings, the Netherlands will host Australia, Poland will play at home against Switzerland, and Canada will welcome Romania.

Led by Serena and Venus Williams, the U.S. beat Argentina 4-1 in Buenos Aires last weekend to advance to the playoff round.

Italy, meanwhile, squandered a 2-0 lead and lost 3-2 to France in Genoa in the first round of the World Group.

Italy has dominated recent ties with the U.S., winning the 2009 and 2010 finals, and first-round ties in 2013 and last year.

The Americans' record 17th and last Fed Cup title was in 2000.

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