Spain secure Fed Cup final berth
Llagostera will hope to continue her winning streak in the Fed Cup final
Having claimed both singles rubbers on the opening day, Spain needed just one win on Sunday to wrap up the victory.
The experienced Nuria Llagostera Vives beat China’s Peng Shuai 6-4 6-4, giving her side an unassailable 3-0 lead.
In September’s final, Spain are likely to come up against Russia, who lead the USA 2-0 going into the second day of their tie in Moscow.
“We knew we could win the tie but we’ve never expected to win three matches in a row,” said Llagostera.
In the first two rubbers on Saturday, Carla Suarez-Navarro defeated Peng and Llagostera beat Zheng Jie.
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“I felt really sorry. I really didn’t want to lose,” said world number 68, Peng.
Llagostera, ranked 76, had a controversial line call ruled in her favour in the final game to gain match point and she forced Peng to return long to seal victory.
“I decided to run a lot and to make her run a lot in order to control the match at my favourite rhythm and used my forehand to put pressure on her,” said Vives.
Spain captain Miguel Margets Lobato insisted his side’s bid for their first title since 1998 would be tough regardless of the opponent.
“The Russian team is very powerful with players such as (Maria) Sharapova and also other players in the top 10 but the Spanish team is also strong and we think we have the opportunity to win the cup,” he said.