Valeri Kharmalov. Boris Mikhailov. Vladislav Tretiak. These are names synonymous with the Soviet Union's enduring supremacy in international ice hockey. From 1956-1992, the USSR won gold in eight of the ten Olympic Games played, building a dynasty that was both hated but respected in the world of hockey.

Elena Dementieva. Anastasia Myskina. Svetlana Kuznetsova. The names are different (and so is the name of the country), but the sporting world is in the midst of another Russian dynasty. For the third time in four years, Russia has won the Fed Cup, the pre-eminent international competition in women's tennis. And, like their Soviet predecessors, their reign atop the world doesn't appear to be threatened any time soon.

With unparalleled depth, the Russian Fed Cup team was relentless from the first rubber to the last in their three ties this year. Nadia Petrova and Kuznetsova swept their matches against Spain back in April, giving the US  much to ponder about heading into their semi-final clash. But it turned out that there was more that the States had to worry about, as the youthful pair of Anna Chakvetadze and Elena Vesnina played important roles in Russia's impressive win in enemy territory.

'With 16 players in the top 100 on the WTA Tour, there's bound to be a Russian playing well at any given time during the year'


In the final, Kuznetsova returned without skipping a beat, winning two more rubbers for Russia and sealing the title in the process. And did I mention that world No.4 Maria Sharapova sat idle on the sidelines while this was all going on? Looking at Russia's victory from start to finish, Shamil Tarpischev's ladies may have won the Fed Cup back in mid-July when they travelled to Vermont. Without their top gun Kuznetsova, as well as Sharapova, who intended to play but withdrew late, Russia's hopes rested in the hands of more inexperienced players. But a team effort is what's necessary to win the Fed Cup, and Russia embodied that throughout this year's competition, particularly in Stowe.

Chakvetadze got soundly beaten by Venus Williams in the third rubber of the semi-final, but Russia returned the favour against unheralded Vania King and Meilen Tu, who posed no threat in their respective matches. The depth of each side was contrasted in these rubbers, and it would be exposed once again in the deciding doubles match. Venus Williams, simply heroic for the United States, won both of her singles matches, but couldn't make it three in a row as Petrova and Vesnina won the doubles rubber in straight sets. Williams, who had won Wimbledon only a week earlier, probably didn't anticipate playing in three matches, and the fatigue showed in this pivotal fifth rubber.

The disparity between Russia's players - top to bottom - and the American team was the deciding factor in this marquee tie. Vesnina was an unknown before this match started, but when it was over, the Stowe faithful knew all about her after she delivered an inspiring performance in a pressure-filled match. But even considering Elena's outstanding play, it's worth noting that she's just one cog in the in the vast Russian Fed Cup machine.

Reaching the final for the second consecutive year, the defending champions Italy had dreams of a repeat, but they ran into a nightmare. Kuznetsova, fresh off a finals performance at the US Open, returned to play and won both of her matches. In addition, Chakvetadze - fresh off a semi-finals performance at the US Open - won her opening rubber, and the celebrations began in Moscow.

The Russian Fed Cup team have many accolades amongst their members, and with 16 players in the top 100 on the WTA Tour, there's bound to be someone playing well at any given time during the year. In a rotating team setting that spells success for the Russians and trouble for everyone else. The 2007 Fed Cup tournament has ended, but there's no end in sight for Russia, who are the clear favourites to win their fourth Fed Cup in five years in 2008.

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