Belgium enters final phase

LONDON, MAY 1. Belgium joined Spain, the Czech Republic and host U.S. in November's Fed Cup final phase, ousting Russia 2-1 in Moscow to reach the final four.

Belgium, with its Sunday tie even at 1-1, won the doubles to advance as Els Callens and Laurence Courtois defeated Anna Kournikova and Elena Likhovtseva 6-4, 6-3.

Belgium's other star was 16-year-old Kim Clijsters, who downed 18-year-old Kournikova in singles at 5-7, 6-2, 6-4. Likhovtseva gave Russia a 1-0 lead, beating Courtois 6-4, 6-4. But Clijsters fought back to even the tie and set up the deciding doubles match.

With top Belgians Dominique van Roost and Sabine Appelmans not playing in the World Group C round-robin, Belgium was the underdog against France, Russia and Australia. Belgium finished 3-0 in the four-team Group C in Moscow. France was 2-1, Russia 1- 2 and Australia 0-3. At 0-3, Australia was relegated to qualifying round play.

In Group B in Bratislava (Slovakia), the Czech Republic finished 3-0 to advance. In Group A in Bari (Italy), Spain also moved on 3-0.

In Sunday's only tie in Bratislava, Austria defeated Slovakia 2- 1, relegating the host nation from the World Group.

In singles, Austria's Marion Maruska beat Deniela Hantuchova 6-4, 7-6 (7-1) in her debut Fed Cup singles, and Austria's No. 1 Barbara Schett defeated Karina Habsudova 6-4, 7- 5. Austria retired in the doubles and forfeited the meaningless match.

In Bari, Germany beat Italy 2-1, Tathiana Garbin of Italy defeated Andrea Glass of Germany 6-2, 6-3, but the Germans bounced back, with Anke Huber beating Silvia Farina 7-6 (7-5), 7- 5, and Huber and Barbara Rittner defeating Farina and Rita Grande 6-3, 7-5 in a doubles encounter.

Germany and Italy each entered with 1-1 records and had no chance of catching Spain. Croatia was relegated from the group after finishing 0-3.

- AP

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