TENNIS

RUSSIA WINS FED CUP SEMIFINAL OVER AMERICA

Russian depth simply short-circuited American power.

Even without two injured players, Russia still had enough tennis talent to overcome slugging Venus Williams and America 3–2 yesterday in the semifinals of the Fed Cup.

Nadia Petrova evened the series 2–2 by crushing Cup newcomer Meilen Tu, 6–1, 6–2, after Williams gave the U.S. the series lead by powering past Anna Chakvetadze, 6–1, 6–4.

With the outcome on the line, Garrison substituted Williams into the doubles with No. 2-ranked doubles player Lisa Raymond, but it didn’t help as Petrova and Elena Vesnina came away with a 7–5, 7–6 (7–1) victory.

TRACK & FIELD

AMPUTEE ATHLETE DISQUALIFIED IN 400 METER RACE

Double-amputee Oscar Pistorius’s much-anticipated debut against elite able-bodied competition fizzled yesterday when he placed seventh in the 400 meters in heavy rain and then was disqualified.

Pistorius, who runs with carbon fiber blades for his lower legs, finished in 47.65 seconds, well behind Angelo Taylor’s winning time of 45.25 at the British Grand Prix meet. Pistorius was called for running out of his lane.

The drama was further dulled when the race’s biggest name, Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner, stumbled and stopped a few yards in.