Venus Williams clinched victory for the United States Fed Cup team against Poland in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, in Group II’s first round, advancing her team to the World Group Playoff in April.
Williams needed just one hour to snatch a 6-1, 6-2 win against Poland’s No. 2 player, Magda Linette, and record the 19th victory of her Fed Cup career.
u25a0 Russia and Italy, who have won eight of the past 12 Fed Cup titles, crashed out of this year’s tournament as the defending champion, Czech Republic, survived to set up a semifinal duel with Switzerland.