TNT Sports
Russia into Fed Cup final
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Published 25/11/2004 at 17:13 GMT
Hot favourites Russia, seeking their first Fed Cup title, will take on champions France in the final after beating Austria on Thursday. Anastasia Myskina recovered from a horrendous first set to give the home side an unbeatable 3-0 lead by defeating Yvonn
Eurosport
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After taking a 3-0 lead, Roland Garros champion Myskina surrendered six straight games to the 173rd-ranked Austrian to lose the opener in 38 minutes.
With her thoughts seemingly elsewhere, Myskina had trouble finding her range, mis-hitting shots by a wide margin.
But the world number three got her nerves under control mid-way through the second set before winning in one hour 39 minutes.
"She surprised me by playing a very slow, patient game," said Myskina, who committed 52 unforced errors and hit only 29 winners.
"After going ahead 3-0, I wanted to have another 6-0 6-0 victory and started rushing things and made a lot of mistakes," added the Russian, who trounced Austrian number two Patricia Wartusch without conceding a game on Wednesday.
"Finally, I was able to wake up in the second set."
U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova crushed 362nd-ranked Daniela Kix, who replaced Wartusch for the dead fourth rubber, 6-1 6-1 in 39 minutes to give Russia a 4-0 lead.
After a short rest, Kuznetsova teamed up with Elena Likhovtseva as they beat Meusburger and Wartusch 6-2 6-2 in doubles to complete a clean sweep over the Austrians.
It was Russia's 100th Fed Cup tie since they made their debut in the competition as the Soviet Union in 1968, winning 70 of them.
France, without world number two Amelie Mauresmo and injured Mary Pierce, reached their third Fed Cup final by whitewashing Spain 5-0.
The final takes place on Saturday and Sunday.
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