MOSCOW, July 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Anastasia Myskina and Elena Demetieva won their singles to give defending champion Russia a 2-0 lead over the United States in the Fed Cup semifinals here on Saturday.

    Myskina came from behind to beat Wimbledon champion Venus Williams 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 in the opening singles before Dementieva downed Mashona Washington 7-5, 6-4.

    For the tie, the United States missed Serena Williams, the Australian Open champion, and top-ranked Lindsay Davenport due to injuries.

    "I was trying to give the win for the U.S. but she played too well today," said Williams.

    After trading breaks early, Myskina broke Williams in the third game before the American leveled 5-5 and won the first set with a lucky net ball.

    "I felt slightly nervous in the opening set, I was playing against the Wimbledon champion. But I knew it was emotionally tough for her to play at full strength after winning a Grand Slam title," Myskina said.

    In the second game of the second set, Myskina came back from love-40 to hold her serve and stay in the match.

    Williams then had two double-faults in the fifth game, but fought back four break points before returning long to lose her serve. The American broke back immediately to level the set 3-3 but was broken again in the seventh game.

    Myskina, French Open champion last season, served to even the match 1-1.

    The Russian jumped to a 3-1 lead in the third set and then saved a break point while serving for the match.

    Reverse singles were scheduled for Sunday, followed by the doubles. Williams will team up with Corina Morariu to face Vera Douchevina and Dinara Safina.

    The United States has won the competition 17 times and was runner-up nine times. Russia reached finals four times before defeating France last season for its first title. Enditem