Oudin hits out at absent Williams sisters at Fed final

World number 11 Flavia Pennetta eased to a 7-5, 6-2 defeat of 18-year-old Oudin to put the hosts into an unassailable 3-0 lead in the tie. All three matches finished in straight sets with Italians Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone dropping a meager total of five games in their second sets.

World number one Serena Williams pulled out of the final while her sixth-ranked sister Venus wasn't selected despite playing each other in the season-ending Tour Championships in Doha last weekend. Serena then went to London to promote a book while her compatriots were forced to tackle the Italians with players ranked 49 and 132 in the world.

Doubles specialist Liezel Huber was even more out-spoken when asked if it bothered her that the Williams sisters don't play for their country.

Team captain Mary Joe Fernandez said she was more interested in those who were there and do want to play for their country.

“These girls are growing regardless. The main goal is to build the new generation. You've seen the new generation this year,” she said. “Serena and Venus are just a different story. You know, they're the best in the world and the best in our country.

“If they are willing and able to participate, I think that's a great experience for everybody involved to learn from.”While the Americans' best two players, who have not played in the Fed Cup since 2007, were missing, it was clear how much winning meant to the Italians.

Pennetta described this victory as the “perfect end to a great season” in which she also became the first ever Italian woman to reach the top 10 in the world.

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