BIRMINGHAM, Ala.(AP) Melanie Oudin defeated Alla Kudryavtseva 6-3, 6-3 Saturday to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead in the Fed Cup semifinals against Russia.
The 18-year-old Oudin rallied from two games down in each set to win the match at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Arena. She fell behind 1-3 and 0-2 to the Russian, who was making her Fed Cup debut.
Oudin took control after the slow start, breaking Kudryavtseva's serve three straight times in the first set.
I was missing a couple of shots that I normally make,'' Oudin said.I knew I had to hang in there and make her hit a lot of balls, and then she started making some errors and I started playing better and being more aggressive. I was able to close out the first set very well.''
Sixth-ranked Elena Dementieva faced Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the second singles match in the best-of-five tie.
Defending Fed Cup champion Italy took a 2-0 lead over the visiting Czech Republic in the other semifinal, where Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone each won in straight sets. The U.S., which would host the final round on Nov. 6-7 at a site to be determined, lost to Italy for the title last year.
Oudin was down 0-2 in the second set and facing game point after losing a point on a ball she thought was long, dropping her racket and covering her face in exasperation.
She then fought off two game points and won the next three games.
I think I started well, considering how nervous I was,'' Kudryavtseva said.I guess I just got more nervous as I went on. Melanie played well. She fought and was there every point.
``I did feel a lot of pressure. I don't think I've ever had so many people cheer so aggressively against me.''
Oudin, who is from suburban Atlanta a couple of hours away, will face Dementieva in reverse singles on Sunday. She is 1-1 in career meetings against her.
Elena's going to be the tough one on the team for us,'' Oudin said.I knew I really needed to try to beat Alla today because Elena's going to be really tough. I was really happy to be up 1-0. This was the first time I've ever played the first match in Fed Cup, so I liked it better, I think.''
Mattek-Sands will play Kudryavtseva on Sunday, then team with top-ranked doubles player Liezel Huber. Dementieva and Ekaterina Makarova are scheduled to team up in doubles for Russia.
Kudryavtseva was impressed by the 5-foot-4 Oudin.
She's tough. She doesn't give anything,'' Kudryavtseva said.You give her a little chance, and she's right on it. She has the guts, she has the courage to go for it no matter what the score is or what the situation is, and that's why she's so good.''