• Fed Cup

Russia dump out champions Italy to reach final

Vera Zvonareva has not played in the competition since Russia's victory in 2008 © Getty Images

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Vera Zvonareva sealed Russia's place in the Fed Cup final, sending defending champions Italy crashing out after a 5-0 whitewash in Moscow.

Italy, who have won the title the last two years, were left with a mountain to climb after succumbing to a 2-0 deficit on Saturday. Roberta Vinci was powerless to stop Zvonareva, who cruised to a 6-4 6-2 victory, sealing Russia's place in the final for the first time in three years with two rubbers to spare.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova made it 4-0 with a straight-sets win in her singles rubber before returning to the court to partner Ekaterina Makarova to secure the rout with a 7-6(3) 6-1 win over Alberta Brianti and Maria-Elena Camerin.

Russia now await the Czech Republic, who won the final rubber against Belgium to book their place in dramatic fashion.

A 3-2 win was secured in the doubles thanks to the specialist duo of Iveta Benesova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, who overcame Kirsten Flipkens - who had set up the decider earlier in the day with singles victory over Zahlavova Strycova - and Yanina Wickmayer, eventually triumphing 6-4 6-4.

Meanwhile, in the World Group play-offs, the USA dropped out of the elite group for the first time after crashing to a 5-0 defeat in Germany. Andrea Petkovic's 6-2 6-3 win over Melanie Oudin sealed the victory, rendering the final two rubbers immaterial. Germany will regain their status in the World Group next season, while the Americans must come to terms with playing in the second tier of the competition for the first time.

Australia will also play in the World Group II in 2012 after slumping to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Ukraine. Despite an inspired performance from Jarmila Groth, who won both of her singles rubbers, Olga Savchuk kept the visitors in the tie with a 7-6(3) 7-6(12) win over Anastasia Rodionova to take the tie to a decisive fifth rubber.

In a dramatic doubles match, Savchuk and Lesia Tsurenko survived two match points at 5-6 in the second set before going on to seal a 0-6 7-6(3) 6-3 victory to secure a return to the World Group.

The World Group will have a very different look to it in 2012 after France were relegated for the first time in the competition's history after a 4-1 defeat to Spain in Lleida. Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez gave spain the lead with a 6-1 6-4 victory over Aravane Rezai, and Lourdes Dominguez Lino sealed the victory with a 6-4 6-4 win over Pauline Parmentier.

Finally, in another dramatic finish to end the day, Serbia confirmed promotion to the World Group next season after winning the final doubles match to secure a 3-2 triumph over Slovakia.

In a doubles encounter that went to three sets, Jelena Jankovic and Aleksandra Krunic came from beyond to grab an enthralling triumph, outlasting Daniela Hantuchova and Magdalena Rybarikova to win 2-6 7-5 9-7.

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