Fed Cup: Italy’s Francesca Schiavone meets Ukraine’s Alona Bondarenko in opener

Schiavone to open Italy’s bid to defend Fed Cup

KHARKIV, Ukraine — Francesca Schiavone will open Italy’s bid to defend the Fed Cup title against Ukraine’s Alona Bondarenko.

In the second singles Saturday, Flavia Pennetta will face Kateryna Bondarenko.

Reverse singles are scheduled for Sunday in the best-of-five quarterfinal, followed by a potentially decisive doubles match between Italy’s Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci and Ukraine’s Victoria Kutuzova and Mariya Koryttseva.

The matches will be played on an indoor hard court at the Lokomotiv Sports Palace.

Italy swept the United States 4-0 in last year’s final and also won the title in 2006. Ukraine is making its World Group debut.