Russia in Fed Cup Final; Rain Disrupts Ties, Serena Lead U.S.

by Staff | April 21st, 2013, 4:57 pm
  • 3 Comments

Fed Cup Semifinals

Russia d. Slovak Republic 3-2

For the first time ever a team came back from 0-2 down to win a Fed Cup semifinal when Russia’s Maria Kirilenko and Ekaterina Makarova clinched it for Mother Russia on Sunday. After Dominika Cibulkova and Daniela Hantuchova put the Slovaks up 2-0 on Saturday, Kirilenko won her first singles for Russia on Sunday, then Makarova evened the tie at 2-2 before teaming with Elena Vesnina to beat Cibulkova/Hantuchova in the deciding doubles from a set down.


“She’s amazing. We were joking that she’s like a soldier,” Vesnina said of Makarova. “She has a bleeding knee and she won such an amazing match — one of the most emotional matches she has won. And then in the doubles, she was feeling tired, but she’s a great fighter.”

Italy leads Czech Republic 2-1

On their home red clay, Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci quickly put Italy up 2-0 before Petra Kvitova won the first match on Sunday, overcoming her poor performance the previous day to defeat Errani 6-0 in the third. The remainder of play on Sunday was washed out, with the tie to be completed Monday, weather permitting. Vinci is scheduled to face Czech Lucie Safarova in the first match Monday.

World Group Playoffs

Germany d. Serbia 3-2
Ana Ivanovic was the only point-maker for the Serbs, who in the deciding doubles went with the underwhelming team of  Vesna Dolnc and Aleksandra Krunic for the loss.

Australia at Switzerland
No play yet after two days of rain in Chiasso.

Spain d. Japan 4-0
No hope for the Japanese on the red clay in Barcelona.

USA d. Sweden 3-1
Sloane Stephens’ hiccup loss to Swede Sofia Advidsson was erased by the Williams sisters as Serena won two singles matches and Venus one, all without dropping a set.

World Group Playoff round winners stay in the World Group for 2014, while the losers drop to World Group II.

 


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3 Comments for Russia in Fed Cup Final; Rain Disrupts Ties, Serena Lead U.S.

RZ Says:

Team GB lost 3-1 to Argentina. :-( Robson won her first match but lost her second. It was tough without Heather Watson on the team. Hopefully next year they’ll finally get the promotion.


jane Says:

I read that RZ: that’s too bad. I was hoping they’d do better this time out.


BT Says:

Australia d Switzerland. 3-1

Good win from young Ash Barty.

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