Italy, Russia reach Fed Cup finals

CASTELLANETA MARINA, Italy, July 15 (UPI) -- Francesca Schiavone Sunday beat Tatiana Golovin, 6-4, 2-6, 7-5, giving Italy a 3-2 win over France in the Fed Cup semifinals at Castellaneta Marina, Italy.

Later in the day, Nadia Petrova and Elena Vesnina beat Americans Lisa Raymond and Venus Williams, 7-5, 7-6 (1), in doubles in Stowe, Vt., to put Russia in the Fed Cup Final against Italy.

The defending champion Italians faced elimination when the day began, but after Schiavone teamed with Roberta Vinci to beat the duo of Nathalie Dechy and Severine Bremond, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, couple with her victory against Golovin, Italy secured a spot in the finals.

For the deciding doubles match, Italy made a switch from Mara Santangelo and partnered Schiavone with Vinci. Schiavone had a hand in all three victories for her country.

She topped Mauresmo 7-5, 6-3 Saturday.

Venus Williams had given the U.S. team the lead earlier Sunday at Stowe with a 6-1, 6-4, victory over Anna Chakvetadze. Russia drew even with the Americans after Petrova beat Meilen Tu, 6-1, 6-4, and pulled out the match with the doubles victory.

The Russian team will play host to Italy in September.