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 20 August 2008 20:46 BST

Spain set up final clash on home soil against Russia

Sunday, 27 Apr 2008 20:57
World number four Svetlana Kuznetsova was rested for today's rubbers
Five-time winners Spain will play Russia in the final of the Fed Cup.
Spain beat China 4-1 in Beijing, while the star-studded Russians beat the USA 3-2 in Moscow.

In the first two rubbers yesterday, Spain's Carla Suarez-Navarro defeated Peng while Nuria Llagostera beat Zheng Jie.

Llagostera, later partnered Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez in their crushing 6-2 6-1 victory against Sun Tiantian and Peng Shuai.

Llagostera Vives then beat Shuai 6-4 6-4 in the reverse singles to put Spain on the brink of a whitewash. But Zheng salvaged some pride for the hosts with a 7-6 (7/5) 6-3 triumph over Suarez.

Spain captain Miguel Margets Lobato is confident his side can clinch victory when they host Russia in September.

"The Russian team is very powerful with players such as (Maria) Sharapova and also other players in the top 10 but the Spanish team is also strong and we think we have the opportunity to win the cup," Lobato said.

In the other semi-final, Russia booked their place in the final for the fourth time in five years.

The hosts were without Maria Sharapova and today replaced world number four Svetlana Kuznetsova with Zvonareva. The USA were missing Venus and Serena Williams along with Lindsay Davenport.

In yesterday's singles, Anna Chakvetadze beat Vania King 6-4 7-5 before Kuznetsova eased past Fed Cup debutant Ahsha Rolle 6-2 6-1.

Today, Zvonareva survived a scare to beat King 4-6 6-3 6-2 in the reverse singles to give the Russians an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Zvonareva said she was pleased with her first match on clay this year.

"I'm happy to win this deciding point as I haven't played in the Fed Cup for a very long time," Zvonareva.

"It was really tough to be out there as King was playing really good today."

The USA made the score respectable with Rolle overcoming Elena Vesnina 6-3 6-4 followed by Liezel Huber and King beating Kuznetsova and Vesnina 7-6(7/3) 6-4.

Russia captain Shamil Tarpischev said he would recall Australian Open champion Sharapova for the final.

"I had a prior agreement with Sharapova for her to play in the final," Tarpishchev told Reuters


"Of course, it all could change by September with injuries or lost form but at least for now, she is in the team.

"We should have both Sharapova and Kuznetsova in the line-up. I might even have them play doubles together." End of story


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