This weekend the semifinals in the Fed Cup were played. Italy played the Czech Republic in Ostrava. Home advantage was a major factor, as the Czechs put down a fast indoor hardcourt, a surface on which they proved to be superior to the Italians this weekend. Sara played the first match of the tie, and lost 4-6, 1-6 to Lucie Safarova. Italy also lost the other 3 matches of the weekend, and won’t be defending their title in november; it will be a final between the Czech republic and Germany.

This week the clayseason is starting, at an indoor claytournament in Stuttgart, the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. Sara is 8th seed and in the first round she has a chance to take revenge for the Fed Cup weekend as she plays Czech Klara Koukalova in the first round. In doubles, Sara and Roberta are the top seed, and they play Groenefeld/Goerges in the first round. You can check the full draws here and here.

Of course you can also find some pictures from the Fed Cup weekend in the photogallery.