MOSCOW, Sept 15: Anna Chakvetadze and Svetlana Kuznetsova gave Russia a commanding 2-0 lead after the first day of the Fed Cup final ties, beating Francesca Schiavone and Mara Santangelo of Italy respectively on Saturday.

Kuznetsova gave her 26-year-old opponent a 57-minute masterclass which ended in a commanding 6-1, 6-2 win – her fourth win over Santangelo, who is 34th in the WTA rankings, in as many meetings.

The 22-year-old Russian, who resides in Monte Carlo, was in complete control from the start breaking her rival’s serve twice for a one-set lead in 24 minutes. In the second set Kuznetsova continued her domination, producing two more breaks before wrapping up the victory at the 6,500-seat Luzhniki Sports Arena.

Earlier on Saturday, Anna Chakvetadze put Russia into the lead beating Francesca Schiavone in the opening rubber 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in two hours 15 minutes to gain her third win in four head-to-head meetings with the Italian.—AFP