Italy win Fed Cup in 3-0 sweep of US

November 8th, 2009 more images more imagesItaly clinches Fed Cup title over USREGGIO CALABRIA, Italy — Italy has clinched its second Fed Cup title in four years, taking an insurmountable 3-0 lead over the United States after Flavia Pennetta defeated Melanie Oudin 7-5, 6-2. The Italians celebrated their victory in the best-of-five series on Sunday by launching captain Corrado Barazzutti up and down into the air and running around the outdoor clay court at the Rocco Polimeni club dousing each other with water bottles.

October 13th, 2009 Top-seeded Pennetta beats Shaughnessy in AustriaLINZ, Austria — Top-seeded Flavia Pennetta of Italy routed Meghann Shaughnessy of the United States 6-1, 6-1 Tuesday in the opening round of the Generali Ladies. Pennetta had lost both previous matches to Shaughnessy.

October 12th, 2009 Cannavaro cleared in bee sting doping caseFLORENCE, Italy — The doping case involving a bee sting and defender Fabio Cannavaro has been dropped by the Italian Olympic Committee. The committee's anti-doping court on Monday dropped the case after learning the positive test was a result of using cortisone to treat the bee sting.

October 6th, 2009 Donadoni fired by Napoli; Mazzari takes overNAPLES, Italy — Former Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has been fired as coach of Napoli in the Italian league. He was replaced by Walter Mazzari.

September 18th, 2009 Davis Cup: Federer gives Swiss 2-0 lead in ItalyGENOA, Italy — Roger Federer rolled to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 win Friday over Simone Bolelli to give Switzerland a 2-0 lead against Italy in the Davis Cup playoffs. Playing four days after his five-set loss to Juan Martin del Potro in the U.S.

September 17th, 2009 Federer chosen to play 3 matches against ItalyGENOA, Italy — Roger Federer will play in three matches for Switzerland when his country faces Italy in the Davis Cup playoffs. Federer, who lost to Juan Martin del Potro in five sets on Monday in the U.S.

September 16th, 2009 Roger Federer arrives in Italy for Davis CupGENOA, Italy — Top-ranked Roger Federer has arrived in Italy to play for Switzerland in the Davis Cup. The Swiss team had left Federer the option to decide on his plans after his loss to Juan Martin del Potro in Monday's U.S.

September 16th, 2009 Federer arrives in Italy for Davis CupGENOA, Italy — Top-ranked Roger Federer arrived in Italy on Wednesday to play for Switzerland in the Davis Cup, two days after losing to Juan Martin del Potro in the U.S. Open final. The Swiss team had allowed Federer to decide on his plans until after the U.S.

July 29th, 2009 Federer wants to play in Davis Cup playoffGENEVA — Roger Federer reportedly wants to play in Switzerland's Davis Cup playoff against Italy in September. Severin Luethi, part of Federer's coaching team, said the top-ranked player told him in May and again at Wimbledon that he intended to play in Italy.

July 24th, 2009 Safina beats Camerin to make Slovenia semifinalsPORTOROZ, Slovenia — Top-ranked Dinara Safina has reached the semifinals of the Slovenia Open by beating beat Maria Elena Camerin of Italy 6-3, 6-0. The Russian broke twice in the first set and three times in the second, dropping serve only once in the match on Friday.

June 23rd, 2009 Valverde out of Tour de FrancePARIS — Top-ranked cyclist Alejandro Valverde's team says the Spanish rider will not compete in the Tour de France because of a doping ban in Italy. The Caisse d'Epargne team said Tuesday that Valverde met with his lawyers and was told he would have no recourse against the ban before the three-week Tour starts in Monaco on July 4.

June 15th, 2009 Carlos Bocanegra out of US lineup against ItalyPRETORIA, South Africa — U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra is out of the starting lineup for his team's Confederations Cup opener against Italy because of his strained right hamstring from a World Cup qualifier on June 6.

June 13th, 2009 Italy in defense crisis for its Confed Cup openerIRENE, South Africa — Italy faces defensive problems for its Confederations Cup opener against the United States on Monday, with injured captain Fabio Cannavaro almost certainly out and replacement Nicola Legrottaglie also in doubt. Alessandro Gamberini, an inexperienced defender, most likely will team with Giorgio Chiellini in central defense against the U.S.

June 11th, 2009 PRETORIA - Italy struggled to a 4-3 win over New Zealand in a warm-up friendly for the Confederations Cup beginning here Sunday. Alberto Gilardino and Vincenzo Iaquinta scored a brace apiece for the World Champions to overcome a Chris Killen brace and an opening goal from his New Zealand striking mate Shane Smeltz.

June 4th, 2009 US plays at France in 2010 Fed CupPARIS — The United States will play at France in the first round of next year's Fed Cup, and Italy will visit Ukraine. The Americans and Italians, who play at Italy in November in this year's final, were among the eight teams Wednesday in the draw for the 2010 tournament.