Errani leads Italy to fourth Fed Cup title

The hosts went into the match as big favourites after Russia named not one of their top 11 players in their four-strong team.

Sara Errani holds the Fed Cup trophy aloft after defeating Russia in Cagliari yesterday. Pic/AFP

Italy took a 2-0 lead on the first day of play and Errani's 6-1, 6-1 win over Alisa Kleybanova in the opening match on Sunday meant there was no way back for Russia.

Kleybanova, who returned to the tour earlier this season two years after being diagnosed with the cancer Hodgkin's lymphoma, was a replacement for Alexandra Panova, who had battled for more than three hours in losing to Roberta Vinci on Saturday.u00a0