Chakvetadze secures Fed Cup tie for Russia
February 3, 2008
Defending champions Russia took an unassailable 3-1 lead over Israel in their Fed Cup World Group first-round tie on Sunday when Anna Chakvetadze beat Tzipi Obziler 6-4 6-2.
Russia advance to a semi-final on April 26-27 with the winners of the tie between the United States and Germany. Israel face a playoff to avoid relegation from the World Group
Earlier on Sunday, Maria Sharapova crushed Israel's Shahar Peer 6-1 6-1 after the teams began the second day of play at the Israel Tennis Centre level at 1-1 following Saturday's opening singles rubbers.
The tie will be concluded later on Sunday with the dead doubles rubber between Peer and Obziler and Elena Vesnina and Dinara Safina.