France & Russia level in Fed Cup

FRANCE 1-1 RUSSIA Sunday's matches: Pierce v Myskina Mauresmo v Dementieva Mauresmo & Dechy v Douchevina & Safina

Amelie Mauresmo brought France level with Russia after day one of the Fed Cup final in Paris on Saturday.

Elena Dementieva gave Russia the lead and gained revenge for her US Open semi-final loss with a 7-6 (7-1) 2-6 6-1 victory over Mary Pierce.

But in the second singles match, world number four Mauresmo hit back to beat Anastasia Myskina 6-4 6-2.

Russia are the defending champions and it is the third year in a row that the two nations have met in the Fed Cup.

Saturday's matches were played in front of a Fed Cup record crowd of 15,000.

In Sunday's reverse singles, Pierce will face Myskina, while Mauresmo will take on Dementieva.

Mauresmo and Nathalie Dechy are paired against Vera Douchevina and Dinara Safina in Sunday's doubles.

"It's tight, just like we knew it would be," said Mauresmo.

"It was cold and windy and the conditions out there were really difficult. It won't be easy but it's really fun. The atmosphere is fantastic."

Myskina said: "It was the worst match I ever played. I played really bad."

Russia beat France 3-2 in the final last year, while France won by the same score in the 2003 semi-final before beating the USA in the final.