MOSCOW, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- France clinched its first Fed Cup title in six years when Amelie Mauresmo beat Meghann Shaughnessy, 6-2, 6-1, in the first of Sunday's singles matches.
It gave the French their first Fed Cup crown since 1997 and just their second since the tournament began in 1963.
"I feel such pride, and joy for the whole team," said Mauresmo. "I really wanted to win the Fed Cup. It's right up there. It's one of the biggest moments, maybe the biggest one, and sharing this with a team makes it also very special."
"Amelie played great tennis all week," said Shaughnessy, who won only one of four matches here.
With a depleted roster, the Americans failed to win the title for the third straight year. They have claimed a record 11 Fed Cups.
Martina Navratilova and Lisa Raymond helped avoid a sweep with a 6-4, 6-0 doubles victory over Loit and Stephanie Cohen. The 47-year-old Czech-born Navratilova improved to 39-0 in Fed Cup matches.
