MOSCOW (AP) — Alize Cornet gave France a 1-0 lead over Russia in the Fed Cup World Group first round, beating Svetlana Kuznetsova 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the opening singles Saturday.
The 67th-ranked Cornet was a set and 2-0 down when she evened it at 2-2 and broke Kuznetsova in the eighth game to stay in the match. After trading breaks three times in the third set, Cornet broke for a 5-4 lead and served the match out with a forehand cross-court winner.
Three-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova was scheduled to play France’s Virginie Razzano in the second singles match.
The reverse singles and doubles are scheduled for Sunday.
The winner of the match will play either Australia or Italy in the semifinals on April 16-17.
