Sam Stosur leads the Australia bid to topple defending champions Italy in the first round of the Fed Cup.
Strength in depth and the continual presence of two world class players have seen Italy dominate the Fed Cup in recent years, winning in 2006, 2009 and 2010.
They can boast the presence of world number four and French Open champion Francesca
Schiavone. This tie promises the exciting prospect of a rematch of that Roland Garros final with Schiavone and Stosur going head-to-head. However while Stosur disappointed at the Australian Open, Schiavone set new records, winning the longest women's match in history on her way to the quarter-finals.
Schiavone is backed up by world number sixteen Flavia Pennetta and experienced competitors Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci.
Australia are back in the Fed Cup world group for the first time in six years and they will need two singles wins from Stosur to have a chance. They do have an exciting young prospect in Jarmila Groth and they will be hoping she may be able to spring an upset against Pennetta.
