PORTSCHACH (Austria), July 20: Austria were on the verge of equalling their best ever Fed Cup showing after taking a commanding 2-0 lead over Croatia in the quarterfinals Saturday.
The hosts need to win only one of Sunday’s three matches to reach their first semi-final in the team event since 1990.
Barbara Schwartz, who spearheaded Austria’s shock 3-2 victory over the U.S. in the previous round by winning both of her singles matches in the April tie, gave the hosts a flying start with a 6-2 6-3 victory over Croatian number one Iva Majoli.
Barbara Schett then dished out a claycourt lesson to Jelena Kostanic, thrashing the 88th ranked player 6-2 6-1.
Fed Cup veteran Schett, who is playing her 10th year in the competition, was rarely troubled by Kostanic during the one- sided contest.
For Majoli, however, the defeat continued her miserable run in this year’s event.
Results: (Austrian names first)
Austria lead Croatia 2-0 (Austrian names first) Barbara Schwartz beat Iva Majoli 6-2 6-3; Barbara Schett beat Jelena Kostanic 6-2 6-1