MASPALOMAS (Gran Canaria): Austrian Patricia Wartusch caused a huge shock on Thursday when she beat Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario of Spain 4-6 6-4 9-7 to force their Fed Cup semifinal into a deciding doubles.

Five-times champions Spain had been 2-0 up overnight but Barbara Schett beat former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez 7-5 6-7 6-2 earlier to cut Spain’s lead to 2-1.

Spain’s hopes now rest on Virginia Ruano-Pascual and Martinez in the doubles against the Austrian pairing of Schett and Wartusch. Magui Serna was Spain’s original choice but was replaced by Martinez.

Earlier, Schett had given Austria hope when she was rewarded for her aggression with victory over Martinez in a match which lasted two hours 21 minutes.

After a tight first set won by Schett, the second set featured six breaks of serve before Martinez, watched by Prince Felipe of Spain, snatched it on a tie-break to level the match.

Schett continued to attack and after breaking serve to lead 3-2, she repeated the feat two games later before serving out for victory.—Reuters