Russia takes 2-0 Fed lead against Spain
Source: Agencies |
February 5, 2012, Sunday
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MARIA Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova won their opening singles matches yesterday to give Russia a commanding 2-0 lead over Spain in their Fed Cup first-round series in Moscow.
Sharapova routed Silvia Soler-Espinosa 6-2, 6-1 in the first match, while Kuznetsova downed Carla Suarez Navarro 6-3, 6-1.
"I was a bit nervous before the beginning of the match as I failed to show my best tennis in my previous Fed Cup appearance in Moscow," Sharapova said.
Sharapova is playing for Russia for the third time. The three-time grand slam champion won both of her singles matches against Israel in 2008. She lost in opening singles against France last year.
Russia has won the Fed Cup title four times since 2004 and is 5-1 against Spain, which won the title five times between 1991 and 1998.
The winner of the series will play either Belgium or Serbia in the semifinals on April 21-22.
In Stuttgart, Germany, Iveta Benesova gave the Czech Republic a perfect start to the defense of its Fed Cup title, rallying from a set down to beat Sabine Lisicki of Germany 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 Saturday in the opening match of their first-round series.
Germany's Julia Goerges was scheduled to face Wimbledon champion and second-ranked Petra Kvitova later.
Sharapova routed Silvia Soler-Espinosa 6-2, 6-1 in the first match, while Kuznetsova downed Carla Suarez Navarro 6-3, 6-1.
"I was a bit nervous before the beginning of the match as I failed to show my best tennis in my previous Fed Cup appearance in Moscow," Sharapova said.
Sharapova is playing for Russia for the third time. The three-time grand slam champion won both of her singles matches against Israel in 2008. She lost in opening singles against France last year.
Russia has won the Fed Cup title four times since 2004 and is 5-1 against Spain, which won the title five times between 1991 and 1998.
The winner of the series will play either Belgium or Serbia in the semifinals on April 21-22.
In Stuttgart, Germany, Iveta Benesova gave the Czech Republic a perfect start to the defense of its Fed Cup title, rallying from a set down to beat Sabine Lisicki of Germany 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 Saturday in the opening match of their first-round series.
Germany's Julia Goerges was scheduled to face Wimbledon champion and second-ranked Petra Kvitova later.
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