Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scoreboard - Live Odds - Sporting Events - Live Lines

Spain steps on China's turf and takes 2-0 lead in Fed Cup semis

Sat 26th, April 2008

Beijing, China (Sports Network) - Carla Suarez-Navarro gave Spain a major boost in the first match, and five-time Fed Cup-champion Spain took a commanding 2-0 lead over China in the Fed Cup World Group semifinal.

Suarez-Navarro, the 132-ranked player in the world, outplayed 68th-ranked Peng Shuai in a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) victory, while Nuria Llagostera Vives posted a 6-3, 6-4 victory over two-time grand slam doubles champion Zheng Jie.

The 19-year-old Suarez-Navarro overpowered the diminutive Peng, using a forceful backhand to force the action and stay on the offensive.

Llagostera Vives took down Jie, who had recently returned from an ankle injury, on an indoor hardcourt at Beijing International Tennis Center.

On Sunday, the reverse singles will pit Peng versus Llagostera Vives and Zheng against Suarez-Navarro, and the tie-closing doubles rubber will pit a Chinese tandem of Zheng and Zi Yan versus a Spanish duo of Arantxa Parra Santonja and Maria-Jose Martinez Sanchez.

The Chinese, who also have Tiantian Sun at their disposal, are captained by Hong-Wei Jiang, while the Spanish skipper is Miguel Margets Lobato. China is 1-0 all-time against Spain, with a 2-1 victory coming in a consolation event in Brazil way back in 1982.

China has yet to reach a Fed Cup final, while the Spaniards' last title came back in 1998.

Where the players come to play and STAY.

Sports Information you need to win BIG.

Sports Contests – Think you know the game?

Poker Promotion

Find NC State basketball tickets at TickCo and watch the college basketball season wrap up with Final Four tickets!

Contact Us | Help | Site Map| Sport Links

Sportsbook Directory | Casinos Directory | Poker Room Directory | Racebook Directory | Partners Directory