The United States took an unbeatable four point lead in the inaugural Collins Cup when they won both doubles matches against Europe last night at the RDS, Dublin. The Europeans simply had no answer to the power of the Americans. Having swept through the first set 6-1 against Barbara Schett and Iva Majoli, the US pair of Lindsay Davenport and Monica Seles found the European pair an entirely different prospect than in the second.
Europe broke service in the second and took games and had an opportunity to win, but the US forced the set to a tie break which they won comfortably to take the tie 6-1, 7-6. The Williams sisters Venus and Serena swept aside the European challenge of Daniella Hantuchova and Elena Bovina to the give the United States a clean sweep in the doubles. The Williams were in irresistible form winning the first set 6-1 and the second 6-4.
The final series of singles matches were played this afternoon with late stand-in Elena Bonvina beating world number two Venus Williams in three sets for the home sides only point of the event. Elsewhere, Serena Williams beat Majoli and Jennifer Capraiti overpowered Danialle Hantuchova.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
