MOSCOW, RUSSIA: Russia recorded its first ever comeback from 0-2 down by defeating France 3-2 in Moscow. After a disastrous first day, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova started the comeback with a hard fought win over Alize Cornet, then Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Virginie Razzano to draw the score level. In the decider, Pavlyuchenkova and Kuznetsova teamed up to triumph. Russia is at home again in the World Group semifinals, against Italy.
The full results are listed below:
R1: Alize Cornet (FRA) d. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 36 63 64
R2: Virginie Razzano (FRA) d. Maria Sharapova (RUS) 63 64
R3: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d. Alize Cornet (FRA) 36 63 62
R4: Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) d. Virginie Razzano (FRA) 64 64
R5: Svetlana Kuznetsova / Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d. Julie Coin / Pauline Parmentier (FRA) 76(4) 60