France and Russia roll to Fed Cup final
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-11 08:28

HALVED DEFICIT

Even so Venus, who barely a week ago celebrated her third Wimbledon title, took little more than an hour to halve the deficit when she took apart world number five Elena Dementieva.

The 25-year-old American looked jaded when losing to Myskina on Saturday, but she was revitalised on Sunday to overpower Dementieva 6-1 6-2 on the slow clay court.

Her efforts proved in vain, however. Craybas, who stunned Serena Williams at Wimbledon, fell to Myskina after being brought in as a late replacement for Mashona Washington.

"I wanted to win for the team and I felt so bad about it," said Venus who lost the final doubles rubber with Corina Morariu to give Russia a 4-1 victory.

"I was very disappointed (about Saturday)... It's hard because it's not just me -- it's a disappointment for the whole team."

While U.S. coach Zina Garrison can only rue what might have been if Davenport had been fit, her French counterpart Georges Goven was relishing the chance to let Mauresmo and Mary Pierce loose on the Russians.

"We didn't want to talk about it in case it wouldn't happen but now we've done it, we'll play the final in Paris," he said.

"We have an exceptionally strong team and so have Russia. It will be very special."

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