Russia cruises to 2-0 lead against China in Fed Cup quarterfinal

MOSCOW, February 7 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's tennis players virtually assured themselves a place in the semifinals of the Federation Cup by breezing to a 2-0 lead over China in Moscow on Saturday.

Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Yan Zi 6-2, 6-4 in the first match and Elena Dementieva defeated Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-0.

Dementieva said the Russians could switch the team around for the reverse singles on Sunday, with the intended doubles pairing of Anna Chakvetadze and Alisa Kleibanova playing the singles and Dementieva partnering Kuznetsova in the doubles against Sun Tian Tian and Yan Zi.

"I think that tomorrow Anna [Chakvetadze] and Alisa [Kleibanova] will play in the singles and they will take the match to its conclusion," she said. "But [coach] Shamil Tarpishchev will make the final decision tomorrow morning."

Russia has won the Fed Cup trophy four out of the last five tournaments (2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008). A win this year would bring the country level with Spain and the Czech Republic on five victories, behind only Australia's seven titles and the 17 of the United States.