France and Russia roll to Fed Cup final
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-11 08:28

BELGIAN FRIGHT

The 2001 champions Belgium were given a fright against Argentina before scraping a 3-2 victory in their World Group I playoff tie in Bree thanks to an unbeaten weekend for former world number one Kim Clijsters.

Playing Fed Cup for the first time since April 2004, she beat Mariana Diaz-Oliva 6-1 6-2 on Saturday and then Gisela Dulko 6-4 6-1 in Sunday's opening singles rubber.

She then teamed up with Els Callens to beat Dulko and Diaz-Oliva after the Belgian pair had trailed 1-4 in the final set in the Expodroom.

Italy also maintained their place in World Group I after scrambling past the Czech Republic in Liberec, Francesca Schiavone and Roberta Vinci beating Czech duo Kveta Peschke and Nicole Vaidisova 6-4 6-4 in the deciding doubles.

Austria will join Italy and Belgium in the eight-nation World Group I next year after a comprehensive 4-1 defeat of Alpine rivals Switzerland while Germany return to the top table after beating Croatia in Bol.

Asia will be well represented in World Group II next year after China were promoted with a 4-1 play off victory over Slovenia in Beijing.

Japan and Thailand were also 4-1 winners against Bulgaria and Slovakia respectively.

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