Americans Jump Out To 2-0 Lead On Ukraine

(April 21, 2012) The American Fed Cup team's quest to book a World Group slot for 2013 is on track, as Christina McHale and Serena Williams both scored victories on the red clay in Kharkiv, Ukraine on Saturday.

19-year-old Christina Mchale got things started for the U.S., with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Lesia Tsurenko. After double-faulting to hand Tsurenko the first game of the match, McHale seized control of the first set by winning the next six games. But Tsurenko gained the upper hand in a second set that featured 20 errors from both players when McHale double-faulted on Tsurenko's sixth set point.

Momentum in the sloppy affair, which featured 12 double-faults and 117 unforced errors between the two players, shifted yet again in the third set when McHale broke twice to take a 3-0 lead. McHale would give one of the breaks back on yet another double-fault at game point, but the world No. 36 held fast down the stretch to clinch the victory in two hours and 14-minutes.

"I was so happy to get that first one for us," said McHale. "Just really pleased to close that match out."

Tsurenko, meanwhile, was miffed to not have played up to her level. "Today, terrible," said Tsurenko. "I just need to play better tomorrow, more solid, that's all."

Tsurenko is scheduled to play Serena Williams to try to keep the Ukraine team alive against the Americans in the third rubber on Sunday. Williams cruised easily today in the second rubber against 17-year-old Elina Svitolina, needing only one hour to march to a 6-2, 6-1 victory that put the Americans on the brink of clinching.

"It was really easy for me to go out there with no pressure, thanks to Christina," said the ninth-ranked Williams. The 171-ranked youngster got off to a decent start, breaking in the fourth game of the first set to level the match, but from there Williams took the next nine games on the trot.

Williams won 22 of 26 points against Svitolina's 2nd serve and converted 7 of 13 break point opportunities. Svitolina did manage a final break to avoid the bagel, but it was much too little much too late by then.

With the win Serena remained undefeated in Fed Cup play at 7-0.