Russia beat Serbia in decisive Fed Cup doubles

The Serbian pairing of Jankovic and Ivanovic did not work as a doubles team

Four-time Fed Cup champions Russia knocked out Serbia 3-2 following a convincing victory in Sunday's decisive doubles rubber in Belgrade.

With the World Group first-round tie level at 2-2, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Alisa Kleybanova swept past Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic 6-1 6-4.

Russia move on to the semi-finals to face the US, who won 4-1 in France.

Holders Italy completed a 4-1 win over Ukraine and next meet the Czech Republic, who edged past Germany 3-2.

Serbia looked on course for a famous win when Jankovic upset world number four Kuznetsova 6-3 4-6 6-3 in Sunday's opening singles, but Ivanovic could not finish off the tie as she went down 6-2 6-3 to Kleybanova.

FED CUP SEMI-FINALS (April 24-25) Italy v Czech Republic US v Russia

"I tried to play more aggressively, but I'm struggling psychologically," said an emotional Ivanovic.

And the home side were made to regret that defeat when Kuznetsova and Kleybanova dominated the doubles, sweeping through the first set and reeling off five games in a row to take the second.

"We should have ended the series before the doubles," said Jankovic. "Both Ana and myself are primarily singles players who rarely play the doubles."

The US, without the Williams sisters, moved into an unassailable 3-0 lead when Melanie Oudin beat Julie Coin 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 in Lievin.

"This victory is very important for me as I lost the decisive match against Italy in last year's final," said the 18-year-old Oudin.

"I was tense to begin with but Julie was also making things tough for me as she was serving very well. Then I got into my game. I'm really happy to have helped my team win this match in France."

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Italy remain on course to defend their title after Flavia Pennetta beat Alona Bondarenko 7-5 7-6 (7-3) and Francesca Schiavone defeated Kateryna Bondarenko 2-6 6-1 6-1 to take a 3-1 lead in Kharkiv.

There was drama in Brno where the Czech Republic and Germany were locked at 2-2 following wins for Lucie Hradecka and Anna-Lena Groenefeld respectively.

Hradecka and Kveta Peschke held their nerve in front of the home crowd to beat Groenefeld and Tatjana Malek 6-1 6-3 in the decisive doubles.

The Fed Cup semi-finals will take place on 24-25 April.