SOCHI, Russia — Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova produced a stunning comeback to help Russia into a 2-0 lead against Germany in their Fed Cup semi-final on Saturday.
The world number 38 came from a set down to beat Sabine Lisicki 4-6 7-6 6-3 in two hours and 29 minutes.
Team mate Svetlana Kuznetsova became Russia's most successful player in Fed Cup history in the first match as she notched up her 27th career win in the annual competition, overcoming Julia Goerges 6-4 6-4.
Russia, who were playing without the injured world number two Maria Sharapova, can reach the Fed Cup final by winning one of Sunday's scheduled three matches.