Russia Looks to Run Over France for First Fed Cup TrophyPosted on November 27, 2004 Led by 2004 Grand Slam champions Anastasia Myskina and Svetlana Kuznetsova, Russia will be the overwhelming favorite Saturday in Moscow when they face a depleted French team for their first Fed Cup title.
France, without top players Amelie Mauresmo and Mary Pierce, beat Spain in the semifinals behind the singles play of No. 21-ranked Nathalie Dechy and the No. 27-ranked Tatiana Golovin. Russia steamrolled Austria behind French Open champ Anastasia Myskina and US Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova. France is hoping to defend their title from 2003 when they upset Russia in the semis, while the Russians this year rose to prominence for the first time, winning three of the four grand slams. Kuznetsova will face Dechy in the first match Saturday (the Frenchwoman won their lone meeting at the beginning of this year), followed by Myskina vs. Hot Pants (first meeting). "At the start of the year I was playing completely different tennis, and I didn't have any confidence when we played on the Gold Coast," said Kuznetsova on her loss to Dechy. The Russians are 0-4 in Fed Cup finals, losing in 1988 (vs. Czechoslovakia), 1990 (U.S.), 1999 (U.S.), and 2001 (Belgium). "I think, to be honest, it's the Russians who will decide how well they can play and what they can produce, and how high they can put the bar," said French captain Guy Forget. |
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