TNT Sports
France overwhelm Spain
By
Published 09/07/2005 at 16:30 GMT+1
France's formidable singles line-up of Amelie Mauresmo and Mary Pierce proved too strong for Spain on Saturday as the hosts cruised into a 2-0 lead in their Fed Cup semi-final. Mauresmo put France on course for a third successive Fed Cup final when she b
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The Wimbledon semi-finalist dropped her serve twice in the first set but came through 6-4 6-3 to record her 14th consecutive victory in Fed Cup matches.
"It was very windy and I struggled a bit," said Mauresmo, who also took her tally of Fed Cup singles victories to 22.
"I didn't play that well but I won and that's all that matters. I hope and I think I'll be able to play better than that tomorrow."
Pierce, who reached the singles quarter-finals at Wimbledon and won the mixed doubles with India's Mahesh Bhupathi, was appearing in her first Fed Cup tie on home soil since 1996.
But the 30-year-old French Open runner-up was quickly into her stride against Nuria Llagostera-Vives, claiming one service break in each set for a routine 6-4 6-4 victory.
"I lost to her once this year and I knew it would be tough," said Pierce. "I couldn't play exactly the way I wanted because of the wind but I felt I played okay."
France need just one victory from Sunday's three remaining matches to advance but captain Georges Goven remained cautious.
"We have a strong team and I trust the girls but you never know what can happen," he said.
"I'm confident but we must stay focused. Things can change very fast in tennis."
France, the 2003 champions, also played Spain in last year's semi-final, running out 5-0 winners on that occasion.
In the other semi-final in Moscow, Russia rolled into a 2-0 lead over the United States after the opening singles.
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