KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — Venus Williams beat Paula Kania 7-5, 6-2, and Sloane Stephens beat Magda Linette, 6-2 6-4 on Saturday to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead over Poland after the opening day of their Fed Cup first round.
The Americans are one match away from advancing to the World Group II semifinals in April.
Williams overcame a shaky start against Kania, who served for the first set but could not capitalize at 5-4.
"It's never easy to play Fed Cup because you're playing for more than yourself. I just get pumped," said Williams, a former world's No.