Russia's two-time Grand Slam title-champion Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Serbia's Ana Ivanovic in a tough encounter and kept her team in the race for a place in the Fed Cup final.

Kuznetsova earned a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory in one hour 54 minutes on Saturday to record her third win against former World No. 1 Ivanovic.

After the match, Kuznetsova said, "All three sets today were completely different. In the first I was in complete control and took it easily. I was so glad that I found my best tennis that I lost concentration in the second allowing her to level. She further added that "But in the third I was in command again and won the deciding point."

Earlier in the day, Serbian Jelena Jankovic beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 6-3 to put Serbia 1-0 up. "I lost three of my previous meetings with Nastia on hard courts,” Jankovic said. "This time we played on red clay and though the court was not perfect it fits my tennis better than any other surface." She further added that "I was slightly nervous early in the match but later I managed to take control and win a point for my country. In general I'm satisfied with my play."

On Sunday the reverse singles and the doubles encounter will complete the tie's schedule. The winner of the tie will take on either reigning champions Czech Republic or Italy.

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