JOIN USItaly's second singles player Flavia Pennetta earned the winning point in the best-of-five match final by crushing American teenager Coco Vandeweghe 6-1, 6-2. Melanie Oudin had earlier kept the US alive with a 6-3, 6-1 upset of Italy's Francesca Schiavone, the world number seven, at the San Diego Sports Arena.
But although Pennetta failed to hold serve in the first game of her match, she had little trouble from that point on, brushing aside Fed Cup debutante Vandeweghe in only 80 minutes to secure the trophy for her country.
The Italian world number 23 broke her 114th-ranked opponent three times in the opening set and twice in the second before wrapping up victory when a Vandeweghe backhand service return sailed long.
Pennetta raised her arms into the air and was warmly congratulated by Italy captain captain Corrado Barazzutti before she ran across to join her team-mates in a group hug.
"It's very special for me, for the team and for everybody," Pennetta said courtside, while nodding her head in the direction of the Italian supporters in the stands.