Mauresmo levels tie against Italy

NANCY, France, Apr 22 (Reuters) Amelie Mauresmo humbled Flavia Pennetta 6-1 6-1 to draw France level at 1-1 with Italy in their Fed Cup first-round tie today.

In the first singles, Francesca Schiavone put the Italians in front with a 6-7 6-3 6-3 victory over Nathalie Dechy.

World number one Mauresmo then put in a commanding 52-minute performance against Pennetta.

The Frenchwoman broke her opponent's serve twice in the first set and bagged five games in a row to take the second.

Pennetta saved one match point before bowing out on the second when Mauresmo struck a winning backhand.

''I dominated the match and the result proves it,'' Mauresmo said. ''I'm happy to have brought this point to the team. The two sides are level before the Sunday's matches,'' Mauresmo said.

''We will have to score two more points tomorrow. I'm expecting a tough challenge from Schiavone... she proved she was really solid today. She played really well against Nathalie.'' Dechy, called up after experienced Mary Pierce and talented Tatiana Golovin were forced out because of injuries, was put under constant pressure by the world number 11 Schiavone.

The Frenchwoman saved three set points at 6-5 before she took the tiebreak with a superb forehand passing shot.

Schiavone, playing more aggressively, broke her opponent's serve twice in succession to lead 4-1 in the second set and wrapped it up with a winning forehand.

In the final set, the Italian proved too consistent for Dechy and snatched victory on her first match point, a powerful smash.

''I felt rather good in the opening set but then she (Schiavone) lifted the level of her play,'' Dechy said.

''She hit the ball pretty hard and it was hard to return her strokes.

''I gave too many points away during the third set. I squandered a break at 4-3 and I missed the chance to come back into the match.'' REUTERS KD PM2306