Last weekend Italy won their 4th Fed Cup in the last 8 years! In the final they beat Russia 4-0. With 2 wins, Sara played a vital role in the tie. Though Russia didn’t play with their best team, the first match was really tough – after more than 3 hours Roberta Vinci beat Alexandra Panova 5-7, 7-5, 8-6. Sara then beat Irina Khromacheva 6-1, 6-4, to give Italy a 2-0 lead after the first day. On sunday, Sara played against the Russian #2, Alisa Kleybanova, and won 6-1, 6-1, to clinch the Cup for Italy. After the celebrations on court, Flavia Pennetta and Karin Knapp sealed the perfect tie for Italy by winning the ‘dead’ doubles rubber as well.

You can find all the pictures from the weekend (from the draw ceremony, the matches and the celebrations) in the photogallery. All the articles from Italian media about saturday (including an interview with Sara’s coach Pablo Lozano) are here, and the articles about sunday are here.

Now the 2013 season is officially over for Sara, and what a season it has been again! She’ll have a few weeks off now before starting the preparations for 2014.