LOWELL, Mass., April 27 (UPI) -- Team Williams completed a 5-0 sweep of the Czech Republic Sunday as the United States rolled into the second round of the Fed Cup.
World No. 1 Serena Williams coasted to a 6-2, 6-2 triumph over Daja Bedanova to give the United States a 3-0 lead. Venus Williams then defeated Iveta Benesova, 6-3, 6-2, after which she combined with her younger sister for a 6-0, 6-1 doubles rout of Eva Birnerova and Klara Koukalova.
It was another impressive performance by the Williams sisters, who lost just seven games Saturday in winning their respective singles matches.
"It was such a great atmosphere yesterday, I knew the great fans would be out again today," Serena Williams said. "I did kind of overpower her today. She really hit the ball really hard. She's so small, but she can really stroke it extremely hard."
"It's fantastic," American captain Billie Jean King said. "It's great how the team has been all week, the entire team and how everyone has worked together."
The United States will host its second-round tie with Italy from July 19-20. Upset by Austria in last year's first round, the Americans are favored to win an 18th Fed Cup title. Meghann Shaughnessy and Alexandra Stevenson are the other team members.
The Williams sisters have combined to win six of the last seven Grand Slams singles' titles but agreed to play the Fed Cup for the first time since helping the United States win the championship in 1999.
"I love being out here at the Fed Cup and I love working with Billie Jean and Zina (Garrison)," Serena Williams said. "It's a wonderful experience. I really love it."
In other World Group matches, Italy edged Sweden, 3-2, on a decisive doubles triumph by Flavia Pennetta and Roberta Vinci. Kim Clijsters and Els Callens helped Belgium complete a 5-0 sweep of Austria, and Daniela Hantuchova and Ludmila Cervanova posted singles wins to lead Slovakia to a 3-2 win over Germany.
Also, Russia coasted to a 4-1 victory over Croatia; Spain held off Australia, 3-2; and France crushed Colombia, 2-0.
Slovenia became the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals after taking three of four matches against Argentina.
