Spain Drops U.S. For Fed Cup

Spain again proved it’s best on clay, winning the Fed Cup for the third straight year as Conchita Martinez defeated Mary Joe Fernandez 6-3, 6-4 en route to a 3-2 triumph over the United States.

The Americans were underdogs against Spain after world co-No. 1 Monica Seles withdrew with knee and ankle injuries last week.

Earlier in the day, American Chanda Rubin defeated Aranxta Sanchez Vicario 1-6, 6-4, 6-4. It was Rubin’s second straight career win over the Spaniard, her first on clay.

The Americans also won the doubles as Gigi Fernandez and Lindsay Davenport defeated Virginia Ruano-Pascual and Maria Sanchez Lorenzo 6-3, 7-6 (7-3). The two substituted for Martinez and Sanchez Vicario.