Most Impressive Performance by a Fed Cup leader who did NOT prevail in the end. Yeah, that's right. Psycho Girl--no longer so crazy, it seems.

Several times this weekend, Italian arrogance was almost the undoing of the defending champions. Pennetta was unexpectedly outta hand, going off, flaring at Asderaki, generally acting beneath herself and much of the time playing the same. The veteran pulled it out but, I tell you, had sister Kateryna not been fighting a cold through both days, the outcome was questionable.

Alona, OTOH, was cool, consistent, determined. If she can now carry the qualities she demonstrated (apparently at Hobart) and at home in Kharkiv over to the Tour courts, some girls accustomed to underestimating her may get a surprise.