World number one women's tennis player Serena Williams failed to produce another victory in the decisive doubles match, after fighting from a set down to win her singles match over Sara Errani, as the United States lost 3-2 to Italy on Sunday in a Fed Cup World Group playoff.
Italian tennis aces Flavia Pennetta and Errani defeated Williams and Alison Riske 6-0, 6-3 in the decisive doubles match, which also marked the world number one's first career loss in the Fed Cup, dropping to 16-1-13-0 in singles and 3-1 in doubles, Sport24 reported.
Earlier, Williams put together an error-filled 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 win over Errani before Pennetta routed 65th-ranked Christina McHale 6-1, 6-1.
Now, Italy return to the World Group and can compete for the Fed Cup trophy next year while the US were relegated to World Group II, the report added.
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