(updates with quotes)
BOSTON, July 15 - Nadia Petrova and Elena Vesnina
beat Wimbledon champion Venus Williams and Lisa Raymond in the
decisive doubles contest to give Russia a 3-2 win over the
United States in their Fed Cup semi-final on Sunday in Stowe,
Vermont.
Petrova, returning to the court after saving Russia from
elimination in Sunday's second singles, and Vesnina registered
a 7-5 7-6 victory, claiming the second-set tiebreaker 7-1, to
lift Russia into the final.
Winning two critical matches on Sunday was especially sweet
for the 25-year-old Petrova, who felt she squandered chances in
a three-set singles loss to Williams on Saturday.
"I was very disappointed after losing to Venus when I had
everything in my hands and then I broke down," said Petrova. "I
couldn't handle the nerves and the pressure.
"So, I thought, OK, I'll let it go. So today I got to do
everything...make it up to them. I did it today. It just feels
great. It feels fantastic."
Williams was also playing her second match of the day after
beating Anna Chakvetadze 6-1 6-4 in Sunday's opening singles.
"I definitely felt good going out there," the 27-year-old
Williams said. "It was just a couple points here and there. I
felt like I missed some shots that I should have made."
The triumph put Russia into the final against holders
Italy, who also needed a victory in doubles on Sunday to defeat
visiting France in their semi-final.
Also stepping up for Russia was 20-year-old Vesnina, who
hit three winners and an ace in the tiebreaker.
BEST MOMENTS
"It's one of the best moments in my life. I was so nervous
before the match," said Vesnina, who credited Petrova with
giving her confidence.
"This match was just unbelievable, just incredible."
Entering Sunday's action tied at 1-1, Williams gave the
U.S. team a 2-1 lead by beating Chakvetadze.
After 41st-ranked Meilen Tu lost to Petrova 6-1 6-2 to
level the tie at 2-2, U.S. captain Zina Garrison called on
Williams to replace Vania King as Raymond's doubles partner.
Tu, a late addition to the squad for injured Serena
Williams, made her Fed Cup debut in place of King, who was
beaten on Saturday by Chakvetadze in the first singles match.
Russia captain Shamil Tarpischev was confident about
hosting Italy in the Fed Cup final on Sept. 15-16.
"This match will take place in Moscow," Tarpischev said. "I
think we have a better chance against Italy than we had against
U.S."