Moscow, Russia - Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Svetlana Kuznetsova won the decisive doubles rubber, completing an incredible comeback by the Russians in the Fed Cup quarterfinals on Sunday.
Pavlyuchenkova and Kuznetsova defeated the French tandem of Julie Coin and Alize Cornet 7-6 (7-4), 6-0 in one hour and 18 minutes.
Russia will face reigning two-time champion Italy in the semifinals, but that didn't seem likely after Cornet and Virginie Razzano gave France a surprising 2-0 lead on Saturday.
Cornet came from behind to beat Kuznetsova 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 and Razzano toppled Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-4.
Pavlyuchenkova kept the Russians alive Sunday by rallying to post a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Cornet in the first reverse singles match. Kuznetsova then drew Russia even with a 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Razzano.
Russia became just the fourth nation to erase an 0-2 deficit in a Fed Cup tie since the best-of-five format was introduced to the World Group in 1995.
