Defending champions Russia beat Israel 4-1 to reach the Fed Cup semifinals which will be held in April.
Russian world number seven Anna Chakvetadze secured the tie after seeing off Israel’s Tzipi Obziler 6-4 6-2.
Dinara Safina and Elena Vesnina completed the victory by beating Shahar Peer and Obziler in the dead doubles rubber 6-0 1-6 6-4.
Earlier, Maria Sharapova crushed Israel’s number one Shahar Peer 6-1 6-1 to give the Russians a 2-1 lead. Sharapova was not at all surprised that Peer, ranked 17th in the world, managed to win only two games. “I have a good past record against her and I was not surprised… I hit a very powerful flat ball and she is more defensive, so it does not surprise me,” said the Australian Open champion.
On Saturday, Sharapova beat Obziler to level the tie after Peer had overcome Dinara Safina.
