RUSSIA 2 POLAND 0. SHARAPOVA WINS

KRAKOW, POLAND
Maria Sharapova defeated the younger Radwanska sister, Urszula, to put Russia firmly in control of their Fed Cup by BNP Paribas tie in Krakow. 

The older Radwanska, Agnieszka, had earlier succumbed to a three-set defeat at the hands of a stubborn Svetlana Kuznetsova in the first rubber. In her first match since losing the Australian Open final to Serena Williams last week, Sharapova was quick out the blocks and raced away with the first set, winning without the loss of a game in 34 minutes. 
And the second set looked to be heading the same way as the world No. 2 broke early on to take a 2-0 lead. Radwanska, however, would not crumble so easily this time, breaking back to level the set before breaking Sharapova a second time to go 3-2 up. 
Unfortunately for Radwanska, the Russian was able to find another gear, raising her game to break straight back before powering her way through the next three games to complete a 60 63 win, and give Poland a mountain to climb on day two. 
Agnieszka Radwanska would have been considered by many the favourite to give Poland the early advantage over Russia in their Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group first round clash against Svetlana Kuznetsova in Saturday’s opening rubber at the Krakow Arena. The Russian two-time Grand Slam champion, however, went into the rubber with a dominant record against the Pole having won 10 of their 14 career meetings and soon showed why as she too an opening set featuring five breaks of serve. 
An early break in the second to lead 2-0 seemed to have put the match beyond Radwanska only for the Polish No. 1 to hit her form and win six straight games to level the contest. Momentum swung back in the visitors favour in the final set with Kuznetsova looking imperious, losing just six points behind her own serve and attacking her opponents second serve to break twice. 
The victory was sealed with an ace on her first match point to wrap up a 64 26 62 victory in 2 hours and 17 minutes.