Champions Russia establish 2-0 lead over China

Russians Svetlana Kuznetsova and Elena Dementieva proved too strong for an understrength Chinese team and handed the champions a 2-0 lead in their Fed Cup first round tie yesterday.

World number seven Kuznetsova overcame a scrappy performance in the second set to beat Yan Zi 6-2 6-4 while Dementieva thumped Zhang Shuai 6-3 6-0.

After dominating the first set, Kuznetsova lost her rhythm in the second to trail Yan 4-1, making 15 unforced errors. However, she regained her focus in the nick of time to win five games in a row and complete victory in 72 minutes.

Russia, who are bidding to win their fifth title in six years, are favourites to win the tie since China had to travel to Russia without their number one player, Zheng Jie.

Zheng failed to regain her fitness after injuring her left wrist during last month's Australian Open.

Although the match was played on an indoor hardcourt, the Chinese players also struggled to adjust to the sub-zero temperatures in Moscow.

"Maybe it was not warm enough," Yan said.

In Brno, Nuria Llagostera Vives recovered from a dismal first set to level Spain's Fed Cup first round tie 1-1 against the Czech Republic.

Petra Kvitova handed the Czechs an unexpected lead when she beat in-form Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro 6-4 6-4 before Llagostera Vives made sure the teams shared the honours with a 1-6 6-1 6-4 win over Iveta Benesova.

The Czechs looked set to shut out the visitors on the opening day of the tie when Benesova easily took the first set against Llagostera Vives in the second singles match. But the 28-year-old Spaniard quickly turned the tide to level the contest and silenced the home fans when she wrapped up victory on her first match-point.

Benesova will take on Suarez Navarro and Kvitova will face Llagostera Vives in the reverse singles today. A doubles match will complete the tie.

World Group, first round: France vs Italy 0-2.