Sharapova points Russia to Fed Cup win
RAMAT HASHARON, Israel (AP) — Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova won again as holders Russia took an unassailable 3-1 lead in their Fed Cup World Group match against Israel on Sunday.
Sharapova swept aside 17th-ranked Shahar Peer 6-1 6-1 before team-mate and world number seven Anna Chakvetadze sealed the winning point with a 6-4 6-2 victory over Tzipi Obziler.
Chakvetadze understudied for Dinara Safina who suffered Russia’s only singles loss when she went down 0-6 6-2 6-2 in Saturday’s clash against Peer.
Sharapova was ferociously accurate throughout her reverse singles match.
After winning the second game to tie the first set at 1-1, Peer lost nine games in a row and was unable to counter Sharapova’s strength and agility.
I realized I was one point from winning the match and I definitely had a few nerves towards the end, but I am glad I won, Sharapova said after sealing victory on her fifth match point.
It was Sharapova’s second win in two matches, following her 6-0 6-4 defeat of Obziler on Saturday in her Fed Cup debut.
Sharapova led 5-1 in the second set against Obziler after sweeping the first before her rival won three straight games with the support of the 6,000-capacity crowd at Ramat Hasharon Tennis Center.
At one stage, the crowd began imitating Sharapova’s grunts each time she hit the ball.
I don’t mind it, Sharapova said. It brings out the best in me. I love the atmosphere, the crowd and their craziness. It is what we live for. I got really anxious and excited as I was close to finishing my first Fed Cup match.
In Rome, Spain took a 2-0 lead against Italy as world No. 136 Nuria Llagostera Vives upset 23rd-ranked Francesca Schiavone 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-2 and Anabel Medina Garrigues defeated Flavia Pennetta 6-2 6-3.
In Beijing, China opened up a 2-0 lead over a weakened France side missing all top three players — Amelie Mauresmo, Marion Bartoli and Tatiana Golovin.
Li Na beat 18-year-old Alize Cornet 6-3 6-1 in the first rubber before Peng Shuai edged a 4-6 6-3 6-4 win over Virginie Razzano.
In California, Germany took a surprise 1-0 lead against a weakened United States team as Sabine Lisicki upset former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport 6-1 7-5.
Davenport, back in the team for the first time since 2005 following a pregnancy break, blew a 5-2 lead in the second set.
Ashley Harkleroad shook off her nerves and evened the best-of-5 series at 1-1 with a brilliant Fed Cup debut, a 6-1 6-3 win over Tatjana Malek.
The final three matches are scheduled for Sunday, when rain is forecast. Weather-permitting, Davenport will get an immediate chance to rebound when she plays Malek in the first match. Harkleroad will play Lisicki, followed by the doubles match, in which Davenport is scheduled to play.
It was a shocking performance for Davenport, who was playing in the United States for the first time in her comeback following the birth of her first child — a son named Jagger — in June.
I’m having a hard time remembering the last time a match went so one-sided against me, a match that, you know, that’s been my strength, is to take control of, Davenport said. But hopefully that will change.
The 31-year-old Davenport came in with a 31-2 overall Fed Cup record. She had won 19 straight singles matches and 24 straight matches overall. Her last Fed Cup loss came in the finals in 1994.
The winners move on to face Russia.
found here.
