Italy wary of Ukraine's Fed Cup sister act

Tom Williams

Francesca Schiavone has warned defending Fed Cup champions Italy that they will have to be on their toes to avoid an upset against debutants Ukraine in the first match of their title defence.

Italy thrashed the United States 4-0 on home soil in last year's final and they will take the same team into the match in Kharkiv that begins on Saturday and concludes on Sunday.

Ukraine are playing in the World Group for the very first time after gaining promotion last year and they can call upon the services of sisters Alona and Kateryna Bondarenko, who are both in the world's top 35.

"It's tough because we play the first round against a big team like Bondarenko and Bondarenko," joked Schiavone, whose team-mates are Flavia Pennetta, Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci. "We have to pay attention and play very good, at a very high level. They play at home, which is good for them. We have to stay focused and enjoy our tennis like we did all year last year."

The USA's defeat in last year's decider marked their first final appearance since 2003, while the 17-time champions are still chasing their first title since 2000.

Mary Joe Fernandez oversaw the run to the 2009 final and she will take an inexperienced team shorn of the Williams sisters into battle against France in the northern French town of Lievin.

"We're playing France, without (Amelie) Mauresmo, without (Nathalie) Dechy, because they've retired. So that's a plus for us," said Fernandez. PARIS, Friday, AFP