SOCHI, Russia — Svetlana Kuznetsova gave Russia a 1-0 lead over Germany in the Fed Cup World Group semifinals Saturday, beating Julia Goerges in straight sets.
Kuznetsova won 6-4, 6-4, taking advantage of erratic play by Goerges, who landed just 53 percent of her first serves and made 45 unforced errors against 27 for the Russian.
Kuznetsova, who becomes Russia's most successful Fed Cup player ever with 27 wins, said she and Goerges had struggled with the slippery indoor clay surface at Sochi's Adler Arena, which was last year's Olympic speedskating venue.
"It was very difficult to move," she said.