Advertisement

Help
You are here: Rediff Home » India » Sports » Tennis » Reuters > Report
Search:  Rediff.com The Web
Advertisement
  Discuss this Article   |      Email this Article   |      Print this Article

France, Russia in Fed Cup final
Chrystel Boulet-Euchin
Get Sports updates:What's this?
Advertisement
July 10, 2005 19:19 IST

Amelie Mauresmo sent France [Images] into their third successive Fed Cup final by beating Spain's Nuria Llagostera Vives 6-3, 6-1 on Sunday.

The world number three's 15th consecutive victory in Fed Cup matches gave the 2003 champions a winning 3-0 lead in their semi-final tie.

France will face Russia [Images] in a repeat of last year's final after Russia built an unbeatable 3-1 lead over the United States in the other semi-final in Moscow [Images].

The final will be played at Roland Garros in Paris on September 17-18.

"We played them (Russia) away a few times over the past few years," said Mauresmo. "It will be great to play them before our home fans."

Wimbledon semi-finalist Mauresmo had put France on course for the final when she opened proceedings by brushing past Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday.

Mary Pierce, completing France's formidable singles line-up, had then given France a commanding 2-0 lead with a routine 6-4 6-4 victory over Llagostera Vives.

Mauresmo, who struggled at times on a windy day on Saturday, was always in control on Sunday.

She built a 3-0 lead in the first set and kept her composure when her opponent won the next two games.

The second set was one-sided, Llagostera Vives winning just the third game and eventually bowing out with a backhand error on the fourth match point.

"I played better than yesterday (Saturday)," said Mauresmo. "I was slightly worried when she came back in the first set but I stayed in control."



© Copyright 2008 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
 Email this Article      Print this Article

© 2008 Rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer | Feedback