Myskina Wins to Put Russia Ahead
28 Nov 2004 - Krylatskoe Ice Stadium, Moscow, RUS - Jo Sirman
Myskina Wins to Put Russia Ahead
Roland Garros champion Anastasia Myskina defeated Nathalie Dechy 63 64 in
the first of Sunday's singles matches to give Russia a crucial 2-1 lead in
the Fed Cup Final against France.
And although the snow is falling outside the Krylatskoe Ice Stadium, the
heat is now on France, whose Tatiana Golovin must win the next singles match
against US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova to remain in with a chance of
defending the Fed Cup title.
Russia is now one victory away from lifting the trophy for the first time
in the 42-year history of the competition.
"I was left with little choice, I had to win. If I was nervous or not, there
was no difference," said Myskina afterwards.
It was a much more convincing performance from Myskina compared to Saturday,
with the world No. 3 showing why she is ranked 18 places above Dechy.
Myskina made a quick start and capitalised on a number of Dechy掇 errors to
break the Frenchwoman in her opening service game. Dechy continued to look
out of sorts as Myskina held her own serve to love.
As the set went on, Dechy settled down but was unable create any chances on
her opponent's serve, Myskina confidently holding to claim the first set with
a display of greater power and more intelligent shot-making.
"My thought was that I had to stay in control of the match and not let her
attack and come in," explained Myskina.
The Russian 23-year-old pounced in the first game in the second set, and this
time Dechy found an answer, breaking straight back. But that was to be her
only opportunity in the entire match. A game later, Dechy was broken again,
and with Myskina already 4-2 ahead the Frenchwoman narrowly avoided going
two breaks down.
The home crowd knew what was coming, and as the claps and pipes in this
converted speed skating stadium grew louder, Myskina sailed on to a
straight-sets victory, securing Russia's second point of the tie with
a powerful forehand on her third match point.
Myskina said, "Maybe one reason I won is because I won our last match. She
played a different game to yesterday when she beat Kuznetsova. Nathalie
lead 5-4 in the third set [yesterday], maybe if it was 5-5 in the second
set [today], it could have gone a different way."
"Mentally I was not tired but I was not moving as well as I did yesterday,"
said a deflated Dechy. "I didn't respond well and that was the key of the
match."
If Myskina has helped Russia to a historic victory, it would cap a fantastic
season for the Russian No. 1. "It was a great year, there were some ups and
downs but I did win a Grand Slam title. To keep it going I have to work
harder but i"m really happy right now, that's the best thing."
At just over an hour long, it was the shortest match of the Fed Cup Final
so far and is a huge confidence boost for Kuznetsova ahead of her match
with Golovin. The 19-year-old will be desperate for revenge after her
loss to Dechy on Saturday.
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