Fed Cup: Serena Williams stunned but USA survives to reach finals

The United States survived a Latvia comeback, with Anastasija Sevastova winning a three-setter against Serena Williams, to secure a place at the Fed Cup Finals.

Published : Feb 09, 2020 13:12 IST

American Serena Williams lost a topsy-turvy match against Anastasija Sevastova.
American Serena Williams lost a topsy-turvy match against Anastasija Sevastova.
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American Serena Williams lost a topsy-turvy match against Anastasija Sevastova.

Serena Williams suffered the first singles loss of her Fed Cup career, but the United States overcame Latvia to book its spot in the finals on Saturday.

Trailing 2-0 in Washington, Latvia's fightback started with Jelena Ostapenko's win over Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin.

Williams' unbeaten record in singles was then ended by Anastasija Sevastova, who recorded a 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 7-6 (7-4) victory over the 23-time grand slam champion.

Read: Monfils to face Pospisil in Open Sud de France final

But USA moved into April's Fed Cup finals thanks to Kenin and Bethanie Mattek-Sands, the duo winning the doubles over Ostapenko and Sevastova 6-4 6-0.

Belarus needed a thrilling doubles rubber to overcome the Netherlands 3-2.

Aryna Sabalenka and Aliaksandra Sasnovich edged Kiki Bertens and Demi Schuurs 4-6 6-3 7-6 (10-8).

Russia survived a test against Romania to prevail 3-2, Switzerland claimed a 3-1 success over Canada and Slovakia beat Great Britain 3-1.

Germany swept Brazil aside 4-0, Spain was too strong for Japan 3-1 and Elise Mertens led Belgium past Kazakhstan 3-1.

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