The Russian pair of Nadia Petrova and Elena Vesnina showed tremendous grit to tame the Amerian duo of Venus Williams and Lisa Raymond 7-5, 7-6 (7/1) in the deciding doubles to propel the side to the final of the Fed Cup.
In finals, Russia, champions in 2004-5, will lock horns with defending Italy.
Venus Williams, fresh from her fourth Wimbledon title, did enough she could for her country. She first beat Petrova in three sets and then repeated the feat against Anna Chakvetdaze whom she beat 6-1, 6-4.
Trailing 1-2, the Russians, however, staged a remarkable comeback and Petrova first beat Meilen Tu 6-1, 6-2 and then joined hands with Vesnina to win the all-important doubles that sealed the fate of the rubber.
America was hit hard by the absence of Serena Williams who missed action due to injury. Her replacement Tu, just making her debut this year, is not exactly in the same class and it was more than evident in the tie against Russia.
Like Russia, Italy too had to toil hard before getting past France 3-2. France went 1-0 up with Amelie Mauresmo’s three-set win against Mara Santangelo but Francesca Schiavone then downed Tatiana Golovin to draw parity before she partnered Roberta Vinci to tame Severine Bremond and Nathalie Dechy 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 to ensure a place in the final.
