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MADRID, Nov 9: Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario revived Spain’s Fed Cup hopes on Friday by leading the host nation to a 2-1 win over Germany in a thrilling group B clash.
Spain were on the ropes after Conchita Martinez went down 6-1 7-5 to Martina Mueller in the opening singles on the indoor clay of Madrid.
But Sanchez-Vicario showed all her famed Fed Cup determination to haul her side back into contention, beating Barbara Rittner 7-5 6-3.
She then teamed up with Virginia Ruano Pascual to take the doubles, beating Mueller and Bianka Lamade 6-3 2-6 6-0.
The result set up a decisive clash with Belgium after the group B favourites continued their untroubled progress with a 3-0 victory over Australia.
Spain and Belgium both have two points from two games and the winners of Saturday’s clash between the two sides will go through to contest Sunday’s final against the winners of group A.
Friday’s results:
Group B
Spain beat Germany 2-1 (Spanish names first) Conchita Martinez lost to Martina Mueller 1-6 5-7 Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario beat Barbara Rittner 7-5 6-3 Virginia Ruano Pascual/Sanchez-Vicario beat Bianka Lamade/Mueller 6-3 2-6 6-0
Belgium beat Australia 3-0 (Belgian names first) Justine Henin beat Rachel McQuillan 7-5 6-0 Kim Clijsters beat Alicia Molik 6-3 6-3 Els Callens/Clijsters beat McQuillan/Molik 6-4 6-2—Reuters
