More photos from day two

A gutsy eight-footer by Pettersen on the 18th sealed her fourth-consecutive point after partner Sorenstam had holed a monster putt on the previous hole to keep them in touch.

But American Laura Diaz will have nightmares following her missed four-footer on the final green of the final fourballs match-up.

Day two foursomes

Europe now need five points from 12 singles matches to win the cup.

Large galleries were treated to an outstanding day's play and the hosts started the brighter.

SUNDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY Profiles: The USA team Profiles: The European team 0700 (BST) Janice Moodie v Kelli Kuehne 0712 Carin Koch v Juli Inkster 0724 Sophie Gustafson v Heather Bowie 0736 Iben Tinning v Wendy Ward 0748 Ana Belen Sanchez v Michele Redman 0800 Catriona Matthew v Rosie Jones 0812 Annika Sorenstam v Angela Stanford 0824 Suzann Pettersen v Cristie Kerr 0836 Laura Davies v Meg Mallon 0848 Elisabeth Esterl v Laura Diaz 0900 Mhairi McKay v Beth Daniel 0912 Patricia Meunier-Lebouc v Kelly Robbins

Victories by Pettersen and Sophie Gustafson, and by Sorenstam and Carin Koch in the foursomes put America in trouble, with both other morning matches drawn.

And when Gustafson and an out-of-sorts Laura Davies lost 2&1 to Cristie Kerr and Kelli Kuehne in a nail-biting match, Europe's lead looked frail.

But the partnership of Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie regained the momentum for the hosts and the rest was left to Pettersen and Sorenstam.

Davies' loss of form, which caused her captain Catrin Nilsmark to leave her out of a Solheim Cup session for the first time since the event started in 1990, was the only blot on Europe's copybook.

Day two fourballs

But it in no way detracted from world number one Sorenstam's mood at the close of play.

"This was a great match for both sides," she said of her closing match against Diaz and Kelly Robbins.