Belgium, Russia Tied in Fed Cup as Henin Wins, Clijsters Loses

After world No.2 Kim Clijsters dropped a 64 63 decision to Elena Dementieva (pictured) in the first match, No.4 Henin-Hardenne managed to keep Belgium in the running.

Petrova claimed the first set in the tie-break 7-2 and the two traded breaks midway through the second set. But when Petrova served to stay in the set, she dropped the game to love. Henin-Hardenne raced to a 3-0 lead before taking the match in 2 hours, 39 minutes.

"It was tough after the first set," said Henin-Hardenne after her 25th victory of the year. "I fought all the way and it is the only reason I won."

World No.5 Petrova will meet Clijsters in Sunday's reverse singles, while Henin-Hardenne will battle No.9 Dementieva. The last match of the day will pit Belgian doubles partners Kirsten Flipkens and Caroline Maes against a Russian duo of Maria Kirilenko and Dinara Safina. But Clijsters and Henin-Hardenne are expected to step up if the doubles is decisive. On the Russian side, Dementieva is likely going to replace Kirilenko if the tie is leveled at 2-2.

Belgium is 2-1 all-time against the Russians, who are aiming for their third straight title. The winner of the best-of-five battle will meet the victor of the Germany-United States match-up in the semifinals on July 15 and 16.

Dementieva could again emerge as a mighty Fed Cup character if she beats two-time French Open champion Henin-Hardenne. Last year, she captured both of her singles and teamed with Safina to win the doubles and defeat France 3-2 in the finals.

Clijsters will have a hard time with Petrova Sunday in the second match, as the Muscovite has won three of her last four tournaments, including back-to-back titles at Amelia Island and Charleston.

It was only the third career victory for Dementieva over Clijsters in 12 tries. The Russian relied on her patient and consistent baseline game to wear down clijsters, who entered the match with an impressive 18-2 Fed Cup record. Dementieva attacked Clijsters' backhand with a wide variety of slice and topspin shots, and also rattled the reigning US Open champion with her retrieving.

"This is a real letdown," Clijsters said. "For myself and for the public. I went for it but I was not aggressive enough."

France 1, Italy 1

World No.1 Amélie Mauresmo easily dispatched Flavia Pennetta 61 61 in the second match after countrywoman Nathalie Dechy fell 67(5) 63 63 to Italy's ace, Francesca Schiavone.

The tie is evened at 1-1 and Schiavone takes on Mauresmo in the first match Sunday, followed by Pennetta versus Dechy.

Italy has never beaten France in six tries and captain Corrado Barazzutti was in good spirits after Saturday’s matches.

"Our aim was to get at least a point on the first day and we did that so we are happy," Barazzutti said. “We’re still in the tie and anything can happen in the remaining three matches."

French captain Georges Goven was rather disappointed.

"Nathalie came very close to winning the first match and it would’ve been nice to be 2-0," Goven said. "Maybe she was too hesitant at certain key moments."

Reading Schiavone's service, world No.21 Dechy claimed the first break to go up 4-3. But Schiavone, a fierce competitor on clay, recovered to level at 5-5. The first set reached its climax in the tie break, Dechy coming back from a 5-3 deficit to win four consecutive points. She captured the set with a powerful forehand passing shot that brought the French crowd to its feet.

Schiavone, the world No.11, upped the intensity in the second set, rushing Dechy with quick and precise groundstrokes. Dechy held her serve in the first game but the Italian took control, taking five consecutive games. Dechy pulled one break back, but a brilliant Schiavone forehand enabled her to claim the set 6-3.

The feisty Italian began the decisive set in focused fashion and broke for 4-2. The players then exchanged breaks before Schiavone calmly held serve, converting her first match point after a superb backhand down the line set up an easy volley.

"I can take a lot of positives," Dechy said. "I wanted to dictate the game and managed to do that for a while. I just lacked some intensity, particularly towards the end."

Schiavone, meanwhile, attributed her slow start to nerves.

"I was a bit tense but slowly things improved and I imposed my style," Schiavone said. "It was a tough game and I’m pleased to have got through it with a win."

France didn't trail for long as Mauresmo needed just 52 minutes to level the tie against the world No.20 Pennetta. Competing on clay for the first time this season, the reigning Australian Open champion looked sharp, striking the ball ferociously from the baseline. Pennetta was competitive for the first few games, but Mauresmo’s impeccable style was too much for the Italian. Mauresmo broke in the fourth and sixth games before taking the first set 6-1 with a precise backhand volley.

Pennetta never found her rhythm and Mauresmo raced to 3-0 lead before losing her serve for the first time. But the break didn't rattle her as she iced the victory with a superb backhand winner on her second match point.

"I didn’t let her get her breath from start to finish," Mauresmo said. "It could be a long day tomorrow so it was good to complete this match without too many problems."

Germany 0, USA 2

In Ettenheim, the USA lead Germany 2-0 after Jamea Jackson defeated rising star Anna-Lena Groenefeld 62 36 75, and Jill Craybas beat Julia Schruff 46 62 75. Groenefeld was one game away from victory and Schruff had match point against Craybas. On Sunday, Groenefeld will play Craybas, while Schruff faces Jackson.

Spain 2, Austria 0

In Valencia, Spain secured a 2-0 lead when Anabel Medina Garrigues defeated Yvonne Meusburger 63 75 after compatriot Lourdes Domínguez Lino made a successful Fed Cup debut with a 76(5) 36 63 triumph over Sybille Bammer. Bammer goes against Medina Garrigues and Domínguez Lino faces Meusburger on Sunday. Spain needs just one win to advance to a home semifinal against France or Italy.

In World Group II, Japan leads Switzerland 2-0, China holds a 2-0 lead over Indonesia, while the first round ties between Croatia and Argentina and Czech Republic and Thailand are tied at 1-1. (WTA)