It was a big moment for Charlotte Edwards when shewonthe toss in her first game as skipper and although she was first to go for 15, Newton and Brindle ensured England posted a good total.
Serena trailed 2-1 after an early break, but then after a marathon seven-deuce gameshewon five in a row to take out the first set, and had few problems in raising her game when necessary in the second.
Fifth seed Errani, ranked one place higher than Kvitova, was blown away in the first set but bounced back to take the second as she adopted a more aggressive game and won six games in a row.