Russia Beats Italy to Win 2007 Fed Cup
Posted on September 17, 2007Russia won its third Fed Cup title Sunday after Svetlana Kuznetsova defeated Francesca Schiavone 4-6, 7-6(7), 7-5 in the first reverse singles, clinching a 3-0 demolition of Italy.
Russians Anna Chakvetadze and Kuznetsova won their opening singles on Saturday, beating Schiavone and Mara Santangelo respectively, to put Russia out ahead 2-0.
Russia last won the Fed Cup title in 2004-05.
Maria Sharapova cheered from the bench, practicing with the team but passing on playing due to a shoulder injury.
Kuznetsova appeared nervous in the opening set of what would become the tie's decider.
"She made me play some very inconvenient tennis," said Kuznetsova of Schiavone. The 2004 US Open champ and 2007 US Open runner-up saved two match points in the tiebreaker. In the third set Schiavone ran out to a 4-1 lead but could not hold on.
"She put me under a lot of pressure and I couldn't keep my serve," Schiavone said.
Russians Anna Chakvetadze and Kuznetsova won their opening singles on Saturday, beating Schiavone and Mara Santangelo respectively, to put Russia out ahead 2-0.
Russia last won the Fed Cup title in 2004-05.
Maria Sharapova cheered from the bench, practicing with the team but passing on playing due to a shoulder injury.
Kuznetsova appeared nervous in the opening set of what would become the tie's decider.
"She made me play some very inconvenient tennis," said Kuznetsova of Schiavone. The 2004 US Open champ and 2007 US Open runner-up saved two match points in the tiebreaker. In the third set Schiavone ran out to a 4-1 lead but could not hold on.
"She put me under a lot of pressure and I couldn't keep my serve," Schiavone said.