Italy has lost 1-4 to the Czech Republic in the semifinals of the Fed Cup. After three matches, the Czechs had a 3-0 lead and were already through to the final. Sara played the 2nd match, on saturday. She put up a good fight against Petra Kvitova, but lost 4-6, 3-6 in the end. On sunday, she played the two so-called dead rubbers, when the tie was already decided. Sara won the 4th singles match (and Italy’s only point this weekend), against Andrea Hlavackova: 2-6, 6-2, 6-2. In doubles, she teamed up with Flavia Pennetta, but at 6-5 in the first set Pennetta was forced to retire with a wrist injury.

On the website of the Italian federation, you can watch two short video interviews with Sara, and there are pictures from the tie in the photogallery.

As Sara has withdrawn from the tournament in Stuttgart next week, she has a week off now, and will return to the courts in Budapest.