Russia, China and Spain through to Fed Cup last 4
PARIS: Defending champion Russia overcame a volatile 4,000-strong Israeli crowd on Sunday to reach the Fed Cup semifinals where it will be joined by China and Spain.
The Chinese won a nailbiter 3-2 against France in Beijing in a quarterfinal which went down to the crucial doubles to book their first appearance in the semi-finals while Spain knocked out 2006 runner-up Italy in Naples by moving into an unassailable 3-0 lead.
Russia, which will face either the US or Germany in the last four in April, had stood 1-1 with Israel in Ramat Hasharon overnight before Maria Sharapova won her second rubber of the weekend, beating Shahar Peer 6-1, 6-1.
Anna Chakvetdaze, notorious for her brittle on-court temperament, then subdued Tzipi Obziler 6-4, 6-2 despite waging an ongoing war of wills with the crowd.
Sharapova, fresh from her first Australian Open triumph, handed Peer her first loss in 11 Fed Cup outings.
"She actually gave me confidence because she was encouraging the crowd," Sharapova said of Peer. "In a way I felt she was telling me 'I need their help, I can't do it on my own'.
"It was great, I said to myself I'm going to take my chances and win the match. I'm glad I could finish it off in style."
Chakvetadze had to be cooled down by captain Shamil Tarpischev during the changeovers as the tempers became more heated.
"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," said Chakvetadze.
Elena Vesnina and Dinara Safina then beat Obziler and Peer 6-0, 1-6, 6-4 in the doubles as Russia looked forward to a tie with either the US or Germany which is 1-1.
USA and Germany were set to square off Sunday but the matches were postponed to Monday because of rain.
In Beijing, China beat France 3-2 to boost home hopes for the Summer Olympics, but they did it the hard way.
China will face Spain in the last four after Anabel Medina Garrigues stunned Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 6-1 to complete a 3-0 clean sweep for the visitors in Naples.
AFP
(China Daily 02/05/2008 page24)
