Russia beat Israel to reach Fed Cup semis

By Ori Lewis

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Defending champions Russia took an unassailable 3-1 lead over Israel in their Fed Cup world group first-round tie on Sunday after Maria Sharapova and Anna Chakvetadze won their singles rubbers.

Russia advance to a semi-final showdown on April 26-27 with the winners of the tie between the United States and Germany. Israel will play to avoid relegation from the world group.

Russia's world number seven Chakvetadze secured the tie after seeing off a brave challenge from Israel's Tzipi Obziler to win 6-4 6-2.

The Russian came back from 3-0 down in the first set and shut out the chanting from a hostile home crowd who sensed they might be able to unsettle Chakvetadze if Obziler could stay with her.

Chakvetadze was too good for her veteran opponent who was never able to threaten her on the important points.

"I started off slowly but then I managed to get into the match," said Chakvetadze, who was critical of the hostile crowd.

"I think they (the crowd) should be a little more respectful ... all we ask that they are a little more quiet during the points."