Castellaneta Marina, Italy (AHN) - Italy's Tathiana Garbin and France's Tatiana Golovin will face off in the opener of the Fed Cup semifinals on Saturday.

In the other semifinal match, Italy's Francesca Schiavone takes on Grand Slam winner Amelie Mauresmo.

In doubles action, Italy's Mara Santangelo and Roberta Vinci will play Nathalie Dechy and Severine Bremond.

Italy captured its first Fed Cup title last win by defeating Belgium. The Italians eliminated France in the first round.

"The result will be a product of the group, just like last year," Schiavone said Friday. "We all have to do our part. We're a very united team and the surface should help us."

The United States and Russia will meet in Stowe, Vt. in the other doubles semifinal.

The Americans will have to win without Serena Williams, who pulled out of the tournament because of a lingering hand injury.

Williams, an eight-time Grand Slam winner, will be replaced by Meilen Tu.

Williams injured her left thumb during a Wimbledon match last month.

"I've talked to her and I've also gotten an e-mail. She wasn't very happy that she wasn't able to come," U.S. captain Zina Garrison said on Wednesday. "The doctors advised her, for this week, it wouldn't be a good idea to risk possibly straining her thumb a little bit more."