Fed Cup final draw announced

The 2009 Fed Cup final, featuring team USA and team Italy, takes place this weekend on a clay court in Reggio Calabria, in southern Italy. After completing the draw ceremony, the players had their photos taken and did some buffet dining, and they are now ready for the main event:

Round 1: Flavia Pennetta vs. Alexa Glatch
Round 2: Francesca Schiavone vs. Melanie Oudin
Round 3: Flavia Pennetta vs. Melanie Oudin
Round 4: Francesca Schiavone vs. Alexa Glatch
Round 5: Sara Errani/Roberta Vinci vs. Liezel Huber/Vania King

In case you are not that familiar with Fed Cup, here are some things you should know:

• The USA has a 9-0 head-to-head record against Italy in Fed Cup play.
• Italians are clay court specialists; North Americans are not.
• Roberta Vinci has a 13-0 doubles win record in Fed Cup play.
• Flavia Pennetta has had some injury issues lately.
• Melanie Oudin is probably under as much pressure as we think she is under.
• Francesca Schiavone has been known to turn into an Italian Superwoman in Fed Cup matches.
• Alexa Glatch won both of her matches against the Czech Republic earlier this season.
• The team captains may make substitutes, provided official rules are followed.