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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2015 SPORTS Sharapova powers Russia into Fed Cup semi-finals KRAKOW: Former world number one Maria Sharapova sent Russia into the semi-finals of the Fed Cup yesterday as she defeated Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 7-5 to give her coun- try an unassailable 3-0 lead. Following Sharapova’s victory over sister Urszula Radwanska in straight sets on Saturday, com- bined with a three set win for veteran Svetlana Kuznetsova over Agnieszka, Russia are safely into the last four. In front of a partisan home crowd of some 15,000, Sharapova, who recently lost the Australian Open final against Serena Williams, improved her record against the world number eight to 12 wins against just two defeats. Agnieszka saved two match points at 2-5 down in the second set to draw level at 5-5 but ran out of steam as five-time Grand Slam winner Sharapova closed out the match in 1hr 46mins. On Saturday, Sharapova beat Urszula Radwanska 6-0, 6-3 as Russia took a 2-0 lead over Poland in the Fed Cup World Group with the superstar taking a first step towards the Rio Olympics. Svetlana Kuznetsova earlier saw off Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 in the tie at Krakow. French Open champion Sharapova is playing just her fourth Fed Cup tie since her 2008 debut but in order to make the Olympics next year all players have to make themselves available for the annual women’s team tournament. The world number two’s win was also a perfect tonic, coming a week after her defeat to Serena Williams in the Australian Open final.
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