Nathalie Dechy stunned U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 3-6, 7-6, 8-6 in the opening singles of the Fed Cup final on Saturday to give champions France a 1-0 lead against hot favourites Russia.

Dechy, the highest-ranked non-Russian player at number 21, battled back in the second set to force a tiebreak, which she won 7-4.

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In the decider Dechy broke the serve of a visibly frustrated Kuznetsova, ranked number five in the world, to love in the 13th game before wrapping up victory after two hours 25 minutes.

The Russians are bidding to win their first Fed Cup title and are favourites against a French team missing world number two Amelie Mauresmo and twice grand slam champion Mary Pierce.