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Confident start for reigning Fed Cup champs
Published: 08 February, 2009, 02:03
Reigning champions Russia have made a confident start to their defence of the Fed Cup. They stormed to a commanding 2-0 lead in their opening tie against China.
First on court was Svetlana Kuznetsova, who suffered a minor hiccup before beating Yan Zi. After blitzing the first set, the world number seven then stumbled to 1-4 and 0-40 down in the second, but regained her composure to save the three breakpoints and wrap up a 6-2, 6-4 win.
Meanwhile it was business as usual for the sublime Elena Dementieva.
The Russian, who's dropped just one match so far this season, took just a little while to get going before steamrollering Shuai Zhang 6-3, 6-0.
Team Russia now need to win just one more rubber to book a place in the semi-finals.
05.02.2009, 11:52
Tennis stars prepare for Fed CupRussia’s tennis team have begun training ahead of their opening Fed Cup defence against China. The Russians, who are aiming for an incredible 5th world crown in six years, will go into the home tie as heavy favourites. |
09.02.2009, 17:36
Tennis: China outclassed in Fed Cup tieReigning champions Russia are through to face Italy in this year's Fed Cup semi-finals. The April showdown was decided after Russia destroyed China 5-0 in last weekend's quarter-final. |
