Jackson gives US 1-0 lead over Germany

ETTENHEIM, Germany, Apr 22 (Reuters) Jamea Jackson gave an under-strength United States team a shock 1-0 lead over Germany in their Fed Cup first-round tie today.

Despite being ranked 61 places behind her opponent, Fed Cup debutant Jackson edged out world number 14 Anna-Lena Groenefeld 6-2 3-6 7-5.

The 20-year-old German number one began the match with a double fault and looked well below her best as she was broken seven times by Jackson.

In front of a 3,000-strong crowd in the picturesque southwestern town of Ettenheim, Groenefeld served for the match at 5-4 in the final set but Jackson battled back to reel off the final three games and claim a well-deserved victory.

The United States hold a 6-4 advantage over Germany in their head-to-head meetings.The two nations last met in 1992 when Germany won 2-1 in a semi-final clash in Frankfurt, before going on to record their last Fed Cup triumph.

In the second singles rubber today, 23-year-old Julia Schruff takes on Jill Craybas, who is leading the Americans in the absence of injured trio Lindsay Davenport, Venus and Serena Williams.

REUTERS DH PM1953