Jankovic levels for Serbia against Russia in Fed Cup

Jankovic had lost both her previous matches against Kleybanova

Jelena Jankovic fought back to beat Alisa Kleybanova and draw Serbia level at 1-1 with Russia after day one of their Fed Cup World Group tie.

Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Ana Ivanovic 6-1 6-4 in the opening rubber in Belgrade, but Jankovic recovered to see off Kleybanova 4-6 6-4 6-0.

The tie continues with the reverse singles and doubles on Sunday.

The US took a 2-0 lead in France while Ukraine were tied at 1-1 with Italy, as were Germany and the Czech Republic.

Despite the absence of the Williams sisters, the US took a commanding lead against France in Lievin.

I struggled until the middle of the second set, but when I started playing she could not stop me Jelena Jankovic

Bethanie Mattek-Sands opened proceedings with a 7-6 (9-7) 7-5 win over Alize Cornet, and Melanie Oudin then defeated Pauline Parmentier 6-4 6-4.

In Belgrade, Jankovic came back from a set and 4-1 down against Kleybanova to keep Serbia on level terms with Russia.

"Trailing 1-4 in the second set, I decided to take more risks and switch to an all-or-nothing mode," said Jankovic.

"I struggled until the middle of the second set, but when I started playing she could not stop me."

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Ivanovic continued her slump in form as she was outplayed Kuznetsova in the opening match.

"I had my chances in the second set, but psychology played a big part in the final outcome," said Ivanovic.

Kuznetsova admitted: "Even while trailing in the second set, I never thought I could lose this match. I didn't think it would be so easy in the first set."

Ukraine's Alona Bondarenko crushed Francesca Schiavone 6-1 6-4 in Kharkiv but sister Kateryna Bondarenko fared less well against world number 12 Flavia Pennetta in the second match, losing 7-5 6-3.

Germany's Anna-Lena Groenefeld beat Czech Lucie Safarova 6-2 6-2 in Brno but the home team levelled the tie at 1-1 thanks to Petra Kvitova's battling 6-4 6-4 win over Andrea Petko.