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Russia take control in Moscow
ESPN staff
February 4, 2012
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Maria Sharapova got Russia off to a flying start
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Russia remain on course for a fifth Fed Cup title after Maria Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova got the hosts off to a flying start in their quarter-final clash against Spain in Moscow.
World No. 3 Sharapova cruised past Silvia Soler Espinosa 6-2 6-1 before Kuznetsova completed an equally convincing 6-3 6-1 win over Spanish No. 1 Carla Suarez Navarro.
Sharapova will have the chance to wrap up the victory in the opening rubber on Sunday when she is due to face Suarez Navarro.
Czech Republic are also one win away from the semi-finals after Petra Kvitova put the defending champions in the driving seat as they took a 2-0 lead over Germany in Stuttgart. The Wimbledon champion battled to a hard-fought 3-6 6-3 10-8 win over Julia Goerges after Iveta Benesova had upset Sabine Lisicki 2-6 6-4 6-2.
Belgium and Serbia are on level pegging at the end of the first day, Yanina Wickmayer beating Bojana Jovaovski 6-4 6-4 after Jelena Jankovic beat Kirsten Flipkens 7-5 7-5.
Lesia Tsurenko stunned Francesca Schiavone to draw Ukraine level with Italy on the first day in Biella. The Ukrainian powered past the former French Open champion 6-1 6-2 after Sara Errani saw off Kateryna Bondarenko 6-2 6-3.
© ESPN EMEA Ltd
