CHARLEROI (Belgium), Sept 18: Italy were handed their first Fed Cup title when Belgium's Justine Henin-Hardenne was forced to withdraw through injury in the deciding doubles match on Sunday.

The world number two had picked up a knee injury during her victory over Francesca Schiavone earlier in the day but took to the court for the doubles alongside Kirsten Flipkens.

However, with the sides on a set apiece and Italy two games up in the third, the pain proved too much for the French Open champion and she succumbed to defeat, allowing the Italians to win the final 3-2.

After the two teams had finished Saturday level at 1-1, victories for Henin-Hardenne and Mara Santangelo on Sunday sent the tie to the wire.

Sunday's action started with Henin-Hardenne beating Schiavone 6-4, 7-5 while Santangelo, playing in her first Fed Cup singles match, defeated Flipkens 6-7, 6-3, 6-0.

Schiavone and Roberta Vinci were just ahead 3-6, 6-2, 2-0 in the decisive doubles when Henin-Hardenne retired.

Belgium had been relying on Henin-Hardenne after world No 4 Kim Clijsters, who played in both of her country's victories en route to this year's final, was forced out of action for two months with a recurrence of a wrist injury.

On Saturday, Henin-Hardenne beat Pennetta 6-4, 7-5, while Schiavone powered past Flipkens 6-1, 6-3 in just over an hour.—Reuters