BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (AFP) — Elena Dementieva defeated Melanie Oudin 7-6 (7/4), 0-6, 6-3 to give Russia a 2-1 lead on the United States in a Fed Cup semi-final tie yesterday.

The Russian veteran rallied after falling behind 2-1 in the third set, Oudin breaking her for the fourth time in five tries to seize the lead after having ripped through the second set to force a third.

Dementieva broke back in the fourth game, broke Oudin again in the sixth game and denied Oudin on a break-point chance in the seventh game to hold for a 5-2 lead.

Oudin held but Dementieva served out the last game to love to win after two hours and 27 minutes.

Russia’s Alla Kudryavtseva will try to advance Russia into the final by beating American Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the last singles match on the indoor hardcourts.

Should the tie be deadlocked after that, the decider will be the concluding doubles match between Americans Liezel Huber and Mattek-Sands and Russians Dementieva and Ekaterina Makarova.

The winner will face defending champion Italy in the November 6-7 final. The Americans lost last year’s final in Italy so they would host this year’s championship if they advance.

In Saturday’s singles matches, Oudin defeated Alla Kudryavtseva 6-3, 6-3, but Dementieva answered by downing Mattek-Sands 6-4, 6-3.

The Americans were without Serena and Venus Williams, both absent because of leg injuries.