Flavia Pennetta won a tight match with Sam Stosur to draw defending champion Italy level with Australia at 1-1 after yesterrday’s opening singles in their Fed Cup World Group clash.

Jarmila Groth gave Australia a surprise 1-0 lead by beating French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-3, but Pennetta responded by causing an upset of her own, edging No. 5-ranked Sam Stosur 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 6-4.

Stosur and Pennetta entered their match with long winning streaks in the competition, the Australian having won 11 straight matches over the past two years and the Italian unbeaten in her past eight during the same period.

Pennetta, though, had never dropped a set in three previous meetings with Stosur.

Stosur could have won in straight sets but was twice broken to love while trying to serve out the first set from 5-4 up, and then when attempting to close out the second from 5-3 in front.

Groth, making her Fed Cup debut, came from a set and service break down to secure the win in 2½ hours, including a 13-minute rain delay.