Fed Cup - Match Report

	Español

Home Page

	Latest News
	Search Articles
	Heart Award
	Twitter
	Radio
	Audio Interviews
	Live scores
	Photo Galleries
	Newsletter

Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 26 Apr 2008

Anna Chakvetadze (RUS)

Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 26 Apr 2008

Zina Garrison (USA)

Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 26 Apr 2008

Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)

Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 26 Apr 2008

Ahsha Rolle (USA)

Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 26 Apr 2008

Liezel Huber on the American bench

Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 26 Apr 2008

Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 26 Apr 2008

Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 26 Apr 2008

Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 26 Apr 2008

Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 26 Apr 2008

Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 26 Apr 2008

Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 26 Apr 2008

Photographer: Golovanov/Kivrin
Date: 26 Apr 2008

26 Apr 2008 - Small Sport Arena "Luzhniki", Moscow - Nick Lester - RUS v USA

Russia races to 2-0 lead

Two singles, two wins and both in two sets means Russia have one foot in yet another Fed Cup by BNP Paribas final after Saturday’s play in Moscow.

The USA arrived here depleted but not desperate with captain Zina Garrison calling on her squad to forget the opposition, focus only on themselves and to learn from not just the play on court but the week leading up to the tie. That was evident from early morning practise on Saturday when all but their two singles players were courtside in the Luzhniki stadium.

Courtside they stayed as play kicked off with World No. 7 Anna Chakvetadze, who in fairness had it far from all her own way, in a 64 75 win over 19-year-old Vania King.

Chakvetadze hasn't done a lot of winning this year and it showed at times as King, who was playing without any pressure, took it to her opponent. The only break in set one came in game five, with the American choosing to move forwards, caught out from 30-30 by Chakvetadze's defensive skills. The Russian holding on and serving out the set to love.

It looked as though the writing was on the wall when history repeated itself and Chakvetadze again broke in game five of the second set but King, who comes from a family of tennis players, was not to lie down lightly.

Chakvetadze under pressure

A double fault from the increasingly uptight Russian brought parity at 4-4, but as was the case with her back to the wall she played her best tennis and broke for 5-4. There she held three match points, they all petered out and the pressure was right back on the Russian with another break to leave it at 5-5.

Chakvetadze re-focused, broke again and served out the match at the second time of asking but afterwards admitted she wouldn't have relished the match going on any longer. "I didn’t use my opportunities. I was feeling tired and if it went to a third set I felt it would be tough for me to play."

King afterwards pointed to just one or two points that turned the match. However, she was taking the positives from what was a promising display. "Obviously I’m disappointed I lost but I played well, I was confident in my game and I’m looking forward to the next challenge.”

Rolle outclassed on debut

If the first match was competitive, the gulf in class was more evident in the second. Ahsha Rolle, a Floridian making her debut in Fed Cup, was outclassed by Svetlana Kuznetsova 62 61 in under an hour.

It was Kuznetsova's first competitive match on clay since Roland Garros and she'll be grateful to have eased her way back onto the dirt. Rolle was broken twice in the opening set and Kuznetsova raced through the second set gaining in confidence, at times she admitted to over confidence. "I wanted to play too good, I saw the difference in the level and I wanted to play too good, I wanted to practise some shots but in the end I’m happy," admitted the World No 4.

For Rolle it was somewhat of a baptism of fire, representing her country at this level for the first time. "You want to do as best you can for your country but now I know how the World No. 4 plays so I know now I have to go back and work even harder.”

Whether or not Russia will keep their singles line-up as planned for Sunday remains to be seen with Svetlana Kuznetsova hinting at a possible change after her match. If truth be told with Vera Zvonareva one of the year's in-form players on the bench it’s unlikely to make any difference. The USA have a Moscow mountain to climb, lets hope they're learning.

Related Links on other websites
> Information in Russian - RTF
> Information from USTA

Related Links on Fedcup.com
> Tie Information
> Scorecards and stats from this tie
> USA in search of a "Miracle on Clay"

Related audio

Interview with Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) - day 1

Interview with Vania King (USA) - day 1

Interview with Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) - day 1

Interview with Ahsha Rolle (USA) - day 1

Interview with Zina Garrison (USA) - day 1

Update media player above.

	The Fed Cup is an ITF event.	Contact Us
© ITF Licensing (UK) Ltd. All rights reserved. No portion of this website may be duplicated, redistributed, or manipulated in any form. By accessing any information beyond this page, you agree to abide by the fedcup.com Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Website Accessibility Information