Russia beat US, take on France in final

Associated Press

Moscow, July 10:

Anastasia Myskina helped Russia return to the Fed Cup final by beating Jill Craybas 6-2, 6-4, giving the defending champions an insurmountable 3-1 lead over United States. Earlier, Venus

Williams downed Elena Dementieva 6-1, 6-2 in the first reverse singles match. Russia will face France in the final on September 17-18. The 10th-ranked Myskina, who won the French Open last year, had little trouble against No 60 Craybas, who substituted for Mashona Washington. Myskina won eight consecutive points early in the first set, but Craybas broke back to 2-2. Myskina then won four consecutive games to win the first set in 23 minutes. On Saturday, Dementieva and Myskina put Russia ahead 2-0.