Medina Garrigues crushes Bammer to put Spain into semis

VALENCIA, Spain, Apr 23 (Reuters) Anabel Medina Garrigues crushed Austria's Sybille Bammer 6-0 6-3 today to put Spain into the final four of the Fed Cup for the third season running with two rubbers still to play.

The five-times Cup winners meet either France, who have knocked them out in the last three seasons, or Italy in the semi-finals in July.

Spain's number one roared through the first set with three breaks of serve and broke early in the second.

Although Austria's left hander fought back to level at 3-3 she lost her next service game leaving Medina Garrigues to serve out the match.

Spain had gone two up yesterday with Spanish debutant Lourdes Dominguez-Lino overcoming Bammer 7-6 3-6 6-3 in an opening singles rubber that lasted over two and a half hours.

Medina Garrigues took the second rubber beating Yvonne Meusburger 6-3 7-5.

REUTERS DH PM1705