28 Nov 2004 - Krylatskoe Ice Stadium, Moscow, RUS - Jo Sirman Myskina Wins to Put Russia Ahead Roland Garros champion Anastasia Myskina defeated Nathalie Dechy 63 64 in the first of Sunday's singles matches to give Russia a crucial 2-1 lead in the Fed Cup Final against France. And although the snow is falling outside the Krylatskoe Ice Stadium, the heat is now on France, whose Tatiana Golovin must win the next singles match against US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova to remain in with a chance of defending the Fed Cup title. Russia is now one victory away from lifting the trophy for the first time in the 42-year history of the competition. "I was left with little choice, I had to win. If I was nervous or not, there was no difference," said Myskina afterwards. It was a much more convincing performance from Myskina compared to Saturday, with the world No. 3 showing why she is ranked 18 places above Dechy. Myskina made a quick start and capitalised on a number of Dechy掇 errors to break the Frenchwoman in her opening service game. Dechy continued to look out of sorts as Myskina held her own serve to love. As the set went on, Dechy settled down but was unable create any chances on her opponent's serve, Myskina confidently holding to claim the first set with a display of greater power and more intelligent shot-making. "My thought was that I had to stay in control of the match and not let her attack and come in," explained Myskina. The Russian 23-year-old pounced in the first game in the second set, and this time Dechy found an answer, breaking straight back. But that was to be her only opportunity in the entire match. A game later, Dechy was broken again, and with Myskina already 4-2 ahead the Frenchwoman narrowly avoided going two breaks down. The home crowd knew what was coming, and as the claps and pipes in this converted speed skating stadium grew louder, Myskina sailed on to a straight-sets victory, securing Russia's second point of the tie with a powerful forehand on her third match point. Myskina said, "Maybe one reason I won is because I won our last match. She played a different game to yesterday when she beat Kuznetsova. Nathalie lead 5-4 in the third set [yesterday], maybe if it was 5-5 in the second set [today], it could have gone a different way." "Mentally I was not tired but I was not moving as well as I did yesterday," said a deflated Dechy. "I didn't respond well and that was the key of the match." If Myskina has helped Russia to a historic victory, it would cap a fantastic season for the Russian No. 1. "It was a great year, there were some ups and downs but I did win a Grand Slam title. To keep it going I have to work harder but i"m really happy right now, that's the best thing." At just over an hour long, it was the shortest match of the Fed Cup Final so far and is a huge confidence boost for Kuznetsova ahead of her match with Golovin. The 19-year-old will be desperate for revenge after her loss to Dechy on Saturday. --

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