Moscow, Russia (Sports Network) - Maria Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova
earned dominant straight-set wins Saturday to give Russia a commanding 2-0
edge in its Fed Cup quarterfinal against Spain.
Sharapova, last week's Australian Open runner-up, rolled to a 6-2, 6-1 win
over Silvia Soler-Espinosa in the opener, before Kuznetsova cruised to a 6-3,
6-1 triumph over Carla Suarez Navarro in a mere 68 minutes.
The Russians can wrap up the best-of-five tie on Sunday with one more victory.
Sharapova will again be first up in the reverse singles against Navarro.
Kuznetsova is then scheduled to meet Soler-Espinosa, although each captain can
make changes. The doubles match is slated to pit Ekaterina Makarova and Nadia
Petrova for the Russians against the Spanish tandem of Nuria Llagostera Vives
and Arantxa Parra-Santonja.
The Spaniards are playing in the Fed Cup's World Group for the first time
since 2009. They have won the title five times, most recently in 1998 with
current captain Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario leading the way.
Russia, last year's Fed Cup runner-up to the Czech Republic, is a four-time
Fed Cup champ and beat Spain in the final for its last title in 2008. The
Russians own a 5-1 advantage against the Spaniards in Fed Cup play.
This weekend's winner will meet the Belgium-Serbia victor in the semifinals in
April.
The Sports Network