 Photographer: Nir Keidar
Date: 03 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Nir Keidar
Date: 03 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Nir Keidar
Date: 03 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Nir Keidar
Date: 03 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Nir Keidar
Date: 03 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Nir Keidar
Date: 03 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Nir Keidar
Date: 03 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Nir Keidar
Date: 03 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Nir Keidar
Date: 03 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Nir Keidar
Date: 03 Feb 2008 |
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| 03 Feb 2008 - Canada Stadium, Ramat Hasharon - Eli Weinstein - ISR v RUS | |
| Sharapova confirms, Chakvetadze seals it |
Israel and Russia were level after both number one players won their matches on the opening day of the first round Fed Cup tie by BNP Paribas.
Shahar Peer and Maria Sharapova started day two action in the first reverse singles in a number one’s showdown. Serves were held until the fourth game when Sharapova broke and consolidated with a love game to go up 4-1. Up 5-1 and serving, Sharapova saved two break points before she was able to close on her third set point.
Sharapova asserts her authority
In the second set, Peer served first forcing her Russian counterpart to experience some catch-up tennis. Not for long, however, a justified overrule by chair umpire, Pascal Maria, followed up by a double fault gave Russia the early break. Sharapova was now producing top level tennis and the world No. 5 won 10 consecutive games on her way to sealing the second point for Russia, crushing Israel’s best player 61 61.
After leveling the scores yesterday, the 2008 Australian Open champion put Russia ahead and surely everyone will agree that Maria Sharapova’s Fed Cup debut was not only successful but also impressive.
“It’s great win, although again it is strange to win a match without actually feeling like you won. What I mean is that we still need one point in order to really feel relieved. As per my Fed cup debut, I’m very satisfied with my performance and am looking forward for further ties,” said Sharapova.
Obziler under pressure
It was now up to Tzipi Obziler to keep Israel’s hopes alive. Her Russian opponent, world No. 7 Anna Chakvetadze, Russia’s number two singles player, would do everything she could to make sure that would not happen.
The 34-year-old Israeli kicked off in the best way by breaking her opponent twice to, surprisingly, go up 3-0. An advantage quickly erased by Chakvetadze who was able to grab Obziler's serve twice. Down 3-4, Obziler defended a break point and tied the set at 4-4. However, when serving at 4-5, the Israeli veteran saved two set points but a double fault at 30-40 put Russia one set from clinching a semifinal spot.
Crowd plays its part
In the second set both players held serve until the fourth game. They proceeded to exchange serves, but then things got a bit heated. The undisciplined crowd got to Chakvetadze’s head and the audacious Russian girl was challenging the 4,000 fans after every point she won. She used this ongoing harassment to lift her game and go up 5-2. At the change of sides, Russia’s captain, Shamil Tarpischev had to calm his player down, which he did. Chakvetadze broke Obziler yet again to send title-holders Russia charging into the semifinal.
“I love to have the crowd against me, and I use it to lift my own level. Today was tough because the fans were very loud but I’m very happy to have won and I hope to play semifinals at home in Moscow,” said Chakvetadze.
The final match of the tie was the dead doubles rubber which saw Elena Vesnina and Dinara Safina defeat Tzipi Obziler and Shahar Peer 60 16 64.
So after two days of spectacular tennis between Israel and Russia, it is the latter that move on to the semifinal. They will wait to hear from La Jolla, California to know who they will face. Regardless of who they face the defending champions will be hosting the semifinal. Israel on the other hand will prepare for an April Play-off tie in order to stay in the World Group.
Related Links on other websites
> Information from the ITA
> Information from RTF
Related Links on Fedcup.com
> Tie Information
> Scorecards and stats from this tie
> Peer and Sharapova make it all square
> Rookie Sharapova makes Fed Cup debut
Related audio
 Interview with Maria Sharapova (RUS)
Interview with Anna Chakvetadze (RUS)
 
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