By Chris Oddo | Saturday, April 18, 2015
No Maria Sharapova? No problem, I got this, says Svetlana Kuznetsova as she helps lead Russia to a 2-0 lead over Germany on Day 1 of Fed Cup action in Sochi.
Photo Source: Fed Cup
The decision to rest Andrea Petkovic and Angelique Kerber gave Russia an opportunity to take the upper hand in this weekend’s Fed Cup semifinal in Sochi, Russia, and Anastasia Myskina’s team hit the mark to perfection.
Petra Power: Kvitova, Safarova Lead Czechs to 2-0 lead over France
Svetlana Kuznetsova claimed a 6-4, 6-4 win over Julia Goerges in the first rubber, while Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova battled from a set down to get past Sabine Lisicki, 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3, to give Russia a commanding 2-0 lead over Germany on the red clay at Adler Arena.
“The crowd was amazing,” said Svetlana Kuznetsova after winning her 21st career Fed Cup singles match. “I think it was one of the best crowds I’ve played before in Russia. It was great atmosphere.”
Goerges and Lisicki, ranked 63 and 19 respectively, were called into action because German Captain Barbara Rittner thought they had the fresher legs. “The number one and two ranked players came in from Charleston and only arrived here on Tuesday/Wednesday night. So it’s always tough,” said Rittner on Friday when she revealed the move at the draw. “They have had long weeks, successful weeks in the US and I had two players who were fresh. They have been here from Sunday and they had good practice sessions and we have a strong team.”
Goerges and Lisicki drop to a combined 9-12 in Fed Cup singles rubbers after today’s losses, leaving Rittner with a relatively easy decision to make regarding Sunday’s reverse singles.
Germany a runner-up at Fed Cup last year, has not won the Fed Cup since 1992. Russia, which has reached six finals since 2004, and won four titles, owns a 3-1 lifetime edge over Germany, but the sides have not met since 2002.