Monday, Feb. 6, 2012

KOBE — Ayumi Morita beat Slovenia's Polona Hercog 3-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1 on Sunday as Japan advanced to the Fed Cup World Group playoffs.

Finishing touches: Ayumi Morita hits a shot during Japan's Fed Cup match against Slovenia in Miki, Hyogo Prefecture, on Sunday. KYODO

Morita recovered from a sluggish start in the first set to give Japan an insurmountable 3-0 lead after Sunday's first reverse singles match of the World Group II tie.

Hercog experienced pain in her neck during the second set tiebreak and won only six points in the next five games as Morita streaked to a 5-0 lead in the final set.

"Against a player like Morita, I don't think I have a chance unless I am 100 percent," Hercog said. "My serve wasn't 100 percent and I couldn't move 100 percent."

Japan completed a sweep of the five matches as Kurumi Nara defeated Petra Rampre 6-4, 6-4 and Morita teamed up with Rika Fujiwara for a 6-3, 5-7, 6-0 doubles win over Rampre and Nastja Kolar.

Morita and Kimiko Date-Krumm combined to give Japan a 2-0 lead with singles wins on Saturday.

"I believed Ayumi would seal victory for us, so I didn't even prepare myself for the second singles," said Date-Krumm, who beat Hercog in her first Fed Cup appearance in two years. "I'd like to play again in this team competition if I can still help."

With the win, Japan advanced to a playoff against the losers of the World Group.

Serena leads U.S. charge

WORCESTER, Massachusetts — Serena Williams beat Olga Govortsova 7-5, 6-0 on Saturday to give the United States a 2-0 lead over Belarus in the Fed Cup.

Christina McHale won in straight sets in the opening match before Williams put the Americans one win away from advancing in the best-of-five series in World Group II.

Belarus was playing without Australian Open champion and world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, who was out with a lower-back injury.

McHale capitalized by beating Azarenka's replacement in straight sets, and Williams completed the U.S. sweep.

Williams won the first three games of the match, then struggled a little before holding serve for a 6-5 lead and breaking Govortsova, who double-faulted while already down love-40.

Govortsova seemed to have nothing left for the second set against Williams, who quickly ended it with her overpowering strokes.

McHale posted a 6-0, 6-4 win over Anastasiya Yakimova, who was called upon Saturday morning to play for Azarenka.

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