by Sam Allard

Italy struck first blood at the FedCup tennis tournament this afternoon with two decisive wins beneath the gilded mezzanines of Cleveland's Public Auditorium downtown. In order to come away victorious, team USA will have to win all three matches tomorrow afternoon.

The United States' Christina McHale fought valiantly in the first match vs. Italy's big-hitting Karin Knapp. Knapp prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. After surrendering the first set, McHale clawed back in the second, pitting her precision and agility against Knapp's ferocious ground strokes.

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Source: http://www.clevescene.com/