Russia into Fed Cup semis

MOSCOW: Anna Chakvetadze put Russia into the Fed Cup semifinals yesterday by defeating Yan Zi of China 6-1, 6-2 to give the defending champions an unassailable 3-0 lead.

On Saturday the world No 7 Svetlana Kuznetsova put Russia ahead by beating Yan in straight sets 6-2, 6-4, while Australian Open semifinalist Elena Dementieva made it 2-0 after dismissing Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-0.

Chakvetadze, currently 19th in the WTA rankings, clinched victory in one hour seven minutes to record her third win over Yan in four head-to-head meetings.