Svetlana Kuznetsova gave Russia a 1-0 lead over Germany in the Fed Cup World Group semifinals Saturday, beating Julia Goerges in straight sets.
Kuznetsova won 6-4, 6-4, taking advantage of erratic play by Goerges, who landed just 53 per cent of her first serves and made 45 unforced errors against 27 for the Russian.
Later Saturday, Germany's Sabine Lisicki can try to level the score against Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Sunday sees the reverse singles before a final doubles rubber pits Germany's Angelique Kerber and Andrea Petkovic against the Russian duo of Elena Vesnina and Vera Zvonareva.
Zvonareva replaces Russia's world No. 2 Maria Sharapova, who withdrew from the match Tuesday with a leg injury.
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