Italy, France in Fed Cup quarterfinals

ORLEANS, France, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- France, led by Amelie Mauresmo, plays host to Italy this weekend in a best-of-five Federation Cup quarterfinal in Orleans, France.

Mauresmo takes her world No. 23 ranking into the first singles match Saturday against Italian Flavia Pennetta, who is ranked 12th. The second singles match sends Italy's Francesca Schiavone, ranked 38th, versus 14th-ranked Alize Cornet.

The singles players swap opponents for Sunday ahead of a doubles match in which France is represented by Severine Bremond and Nathalie Dechy while Italy sends Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci to the court.

The French have chosen an indoor hard-court surface in Orleans for the series of matches. The winner moves into the Fed Cup semifinals against either Russia or China.

The pairing marks the fourth time in six years Spain has played Italy in the Fed Cup. Italy has won the last two pairings.