Russians, Czechs split Fed Cup singles

MOSCOW, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Petra Kvitova and Svetlana Kuznetsova won their singles matches Saturday to even the Fed Cup series between the Czech Republic and Russia.

Kvitova, who won this year's Wimbledon ladies' title, knocked off Russian Maria Kirilenko 6-2, 6-2 to give the Czechs the lead in the series, but Russia's Kuznetsova responded with a 6-2, 6-3 sweep of Lucie Safarova.

The first rubber match of the tournament will pit Kuznetsova against Kvitova and set up a title-clinching final between Kirilenko and Safarova on Sunday. If the series is still tied after the singles matches, the Fed Cup will be decided by a doubles showdown.

The Russians have won four of the last seven Fed Cups with the last coming in 2008. They ousted defending champion Italy in this year's semifinals. The Czech Republic hasn't won yet, although Czechoslovakia won five cups.