 Photographer: Le Le
Date: 27 Apr 2008 |  Photographer: Le Le
Date: 27 Apr 2008 |  Photographer: Le Le
Date: 27 Apr 2008 |  Photographer: Le Le
Date: 27 Apr 2008 |  Photographer: Le Le
Date: 27 Apr 2008 |  Photographer: Le Le
Date: 27 Apr 2008 |  Photographer: Le Le
Date: 27 Apr 2008 |  Photographer: Le Le
Date: 27 Apr 2008 |  Photographer: Le Le
Date: 27 Apr 2008 |
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| 27 Apr 2008 - Beijing International Tennis Center, Beijing - Alex Hughes - CHN v ESP | |
| China put to the sword as Spain seals victory |
Spain reached its first Fed Cup Final since 2002 after building up a winning 3-0 lead over China in Beijing. The visitors went on to enjoy a comfortable 4-1 victory to end China’s hopes of a first-ever final appearance.
Tasked with keeping alive her team’s slim hopes of overturning a 2-0 deficit in this Fed Cup by BNP Paribas semifinal, China’s No.1 Shuai Peng matched up against her opposite number, Spain’s Nuria Llagostera Vives, in Sunday’s first singles.
Knowing to lose would be to concede the dream of becoming the first Asian nation to reach a Fed Cup final, Peng threw everything at her opponent. But the Spanish have been on fire this weekend and Llagostera Vives was not to be denied, running out a comfortable 64 64 winner.
Llagostera Vives seizes the initiative
Having conceded to feeling nervous in the opening singles on day one, Peng was seeking a fast start to ease the pressure. Llagostera Vives though, continuing her form of Saturday, had the better of the opening exchanges breaking Peng’s second service game and moving swiftly into a 3-1 lead.
Day one had seen both Spanish players seeking to be aggressive and attack at every opportunity. Llagostera Vives was not about to change a winning formula and there was no let up from the diminutive Spaniard as she continued to manoeuvre her opponent expertly around the court, cleverly exploiting the restricted reach of a player hitting double-handed off both sides.
Peng was also contributing now to an entertaining match and the quality of shot making was in stark contrast to the error strewn opener of the previous day. Six consecutive games without a break left Llagostera Vives with the chance to serve out the set at 5-4 and she made no mistake, confidently sealing the game to love.
The pair exchanged early breaks at the beginning of the second, but serving at 3-3 Peng played a loose game, presenting her opponent with break point at 30-40. Llagostera Vives scented victory and a cracking backhand return winner moved her to within two games of a famous win.
Fortune fails Peng
Sensing the tie slipping away, the raucous home crowd did their best to rally their player and Peng responded briefly by securing break point in the next game. But once again that little slice of luck that can sometimes swing momentum was missing for China as a net cord from Peng bounced twice on the net before falling agonisingly the wrong side. Llagostera Vives took the game and with it China’s final hope.
Despite holding serve to make Llagostera Vives serve out the match there was nothing the Chinese player could do as one last Peng error sent the small, but vociferous, Spanish contingent into raptures and the team piling onto court in jubilant celebration.
A disappointed Peng was left to rue missed opportunities. “I think they played well,” she said, “but both matches were really close, we had our chance, but we missed them.”
Spain awaits Russia in final
For Llagostera Vives the broad grin said it all as she acknowledged the importance of the Spanish team spirit, evident throughout the weekend. “I’m feeling unbelievable now; I’m very excited about playing in my first final. We’ve always had a very good atmosphere and we’re all very good friends. We have fun together and I think that’s very important.”
With two upset away victories in a row, a final against the might of Russia now looms. But upsetting the odds is becoming a habit for this team and Captain Miguel Margets signed off in bullish mood. “We had our golden years with Arantxa [Sanchez-Vicario] and Conchita [Martinez]… but now we have a new team and new generation. Russia will be the big favourites, but after what we’ve done we can dream. We will fight hard to get the title.”
In the dead rubbers, Jie Zheng overcame Carlo Suarez-Navarro 76(5) 63, before Llagostera Vives and Mari-Jose Martinez Sanchez defeated Peng and Tian Tian 62 61.
Related Links on other websites
> Information in Chinese - CTA
> Informacion en Espanol - RFET
Related Links on Fedcup.com
> Tie Information
> Scorecards and stats from this tie
> Spain enjoying its away days again
> Spain stands in way as China seeks history
Related audio
 Interview with Shuai Peng (CHN) - day 2
Interview with Miguel Margets (ESP) - day 2
Interview with Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP) - day 2
 
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