Sharapova rescues Russia
After several aborted attempts in 2007, the Florida-based Sharapova finally donned her native Russias red and white strip today to roll Israels Tzipi Obziler 6-0 6-4.
The Australian Open champions win momentarily silenced the capacity 5000-strong crowd, who had earlier roared on Israeli No 1 Shahar Peer to a memorable 0-6 6-2 6-2 victory over Dinara Safina to give the home team an unexpected lead in the tie.
The United States hopes of ending their longest title drought were seriously dented after Lindsay Davenports run of 19 consecutive victories in Fed Cup singles matches was ended by an unheralded German teenager.
Sabine Lisicki, ranked 130th, stunned former world No 1 Davenport 6-1 7-5 to give Germany a shock 1-0 advantage over the US, winners a record 17 times but seeking their first title since 2000, in La Jolla, California.
Lindsay is such a great champion and I just beat her, Lisicki said.
I am really excited.
Ashley Harkleroad restored order when she overwhelmed Tatjana Malek 6-1 6-3 to level the contest at 1-1.
A leaking roof at Naples indoor PalaVesuvio arena failed to distract Spain from taking a surprise 2-0 lead over last years finalists Italy, while China punished France for turning up with a second-string team in Beijing to also open up a 2-0 advantage.
Having been held up for almost an hour midway through the third set after rainwater dripped from the roof on to the court, world No 136 Nuria Llagostera Vives doused Italys hopes of an early lead with a 7-6 3-6 6-2 win over Francesca Schiavone.
Spains top player, Anabel Medina Garrigues, completed a miserable day for the hosts by swatting aside Flavia Pennetta 6-2 6-3.
I made three or four errors at important times and it cost me the match, Italian No 1 Schiavone said.
At the break I was thinking I could make a change and it would favour me but instead she played well.
Two-time former champions France seem headed for an early exit after former world No 1 Amelie Mauresmo and last years Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli refused to make the trip to China.
The duo were sorely missed after Li Na showed little mercy to tournament debutant Alize Cornet during a 6-3 6-1 victory.
Chinese No 2 Peng Shuai upset Virginie Razzano 4-6 6-3 6-4 to leave the home team needing to win only one of tomorrows three rubbers to secure their place in the semifinals.
-Reuters
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Sunday, February 3rd, 2008 at 12:02 am under