Italians jump out to 2-0 edge over USA
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Cleveland, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Karin Knapp and Camila Giorgi gave Italy a 2-0 advantage over the United States in the best-of-five quarterfinal Fed Cup tie.
Knapp took care of Christina McHale 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in the opening rubber on an indoor hardcourt at Cleveland's Public Auditorium. Knapp had five aces and smacked 30 winners in her triumph.
Later, Giorgi cruised past Madison Keys 6-2, 6-1 thanks to 47 unforced errors from the 18-year old American. Giorgi is competing in her first Fed Cup for Italy, which also defeated the United States in the opening round last year.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Keys has a chance for redemption when she meets Knapp in Sunday's first reverse singles match.
If Keys can keep the Americans alive, McHale will look to force a decisive doubles rubber when she faces Giorgi.
Team USA holds a 9-3 lead in the all-time series, which dates back to 1963, but they're looking for their first win over the Italians since 2003.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Italy has won four of the last eight titles in this event.
The winner of this matchup will meet the Spain-Czech Republic victor in the semifinals in April.