Photo: Andrei Golovanov/Sergei KivrinEkaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina (RUS)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA: Ekaterina Makarova ensured that Russia progressed against Japan in their Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group first round match in Moscow as she pulled them back from 2-1 down to win on the final day of action.
With Japan in touching distance of reaching their first semifinal since 1996, the Russian world No. 20 wasted little time in bringing the visitors back down to earth with a 61 61 triumph over the 42-year-old. Date Krumm who had no answer to Makraova's 21 winners, mustering just 14 of her own and throwing in 29 unforced errors.
Date-Krumm after the match commented on an achilles injury that meant she only decided to play in the match at the very last minute whilst watching Morita fighting for her country and felt that she had to give it a go.
Makarova was then brought into the doubles line-up alongside Elena Vesnina, who had earlier been defeated by Ayumi Morita, and the former Grand Slam doubles finallists made light work of the Japanese pairing of Misaki Doi alongside Morita.
Morita had edged Japan ahead of Russia after recording a 64 61 with her win over Vesnina, herself a last minute replacement for Maria Kirilenko, on Sunday morning. On the opening day she cancelled out Kirilenko's opening rubber win against Date-Krumm with a 62 62 victory over Makarova.
Russia will now await the Slovak Republic in the semifinal.
"That's the way the world works... right now." --Maria Sharapova at 17