Japan edged out by Russia in Fed Cup tennis tournament

Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova put Russia into the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Fed Cup semi-finals on Sunday when they secured a 6-2, 6-2 win over Japan?s Ayumi Morita and Misaki Doi for a 3-2 victory. Japan and Russia had been tied at 1 win each overnight before the Asian outsiders went 2-1 up when Morita defeated Vesnina, 6-4, 6-1.

Makarova then leveled the tie at 2-2 by winning easily over veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm 6-1, 6-1. The doubles match then had to be played out as the decider. The Japanese duo started the crucial doubles with a break but the Russians broke back immediately to level. Later in the opening set, Vesnina and Makarova, currently ninth and 10th in the WTA doubles rankings, produced two vital breaks to capture the first set in 31 minutes. The second set saw more of the same, the hosts in control with Morita broken twice as the rubber match was eventually wrapped up by the Russians in a little over an hour.
Morita said she had been very pleased with her win over Vesnina that briefly put Japan in front. ?I wanted to win very much,? said Morita. ?I played well in both my games and I?m really pleased with my performance during the weekend.?

Four-time champions Russia will now host Slovakia, who won over 2012 runners-up Serbia in their out quarterfinals, in April?s semi-finals. The Fed Cup is the premier team competition in women?s tennis, launched in by the ITF. The competition, then known as the Federation Cup, is the women?s equivalent of the Davis Cup for men?s team tennis.

[ via The Star ]

Source: http://japandailypress.com/japan-edged-out-by-russia-in-fed-cup-tennis-tournament-1123105

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