BRINDISI, Italy — Serena Williams thought she was ready for the clay-court season.
As it turns out, the top-ranked player still has a long way to go toward finding the form that could propel her to a 20th Grand Slam title at the French Open.
"Today has been a big eye opener," Williams said after coming back from a set down to post a windy, error-filled 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-3 win over Sara Errani on Sunday in a Fed Cup playoff against Italy.
Brindisi-born Flavia Pennetta then routed 65th-ranked Christina McHale 6-1, 6-1 and Pennetta and Errani beat Williams and Alison Riske 6-0, 6-3 in the decisive doubles match to give Italy a 3-2 win.