Defending champions Russia won both singles rubbers against the United States in Moscow and came closer to their fourth Fed Cup final in five years, while five-time winners Spain made just as successful start in their semifinal against China in Beijing.
In Moscow, Anna Chakvetadze beat Vania King 6-4 7-5 before Svetlana Kuznetsova saw off Fed Cup debutant Ahsha Rolle 6-2 6-1. In Beijing, Carla Suarez-Navarro upset Peng Shuai 6-3 7-6 (7-4) while Nuria Llagostera Vives cruised past Zheng Jie 6-3 6-4.
Russia and Spain are now one win away from meeting each other in September’s final.
