| 2011-12-15 17:08 Don't provoke protesters, ex-minister Kudrin tells Putin |
Russia’s ex-finance minister Alexei Kudrin criticized on Thursday Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s remarks regarding the white ribbons worn by protesters at recent nationwide rallies against alleged electoral fraud.
American director Woody Allen began shooting his latest movie in Paris on Monday.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday said a European Parliament resolution calling for new State Duma elections “means nothing.” 
After Wimbledon Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova came to Belarus. 
Elena Vesnina helps Russia to defeat U.S. · 2007-07-16 14:57
Venus Williams had never even heard of Elena Vesnina before their Fed Cup semifinal between the U.S. and Russia this past weekend.
Elena saved her best for last in Sunday's doubles rubber against Williams and U.S. teammate Lisa Raymond, catapulting Russia to a 3-2 team victory and into the championship tie against Italy.
"It's one of the best moments of my life," Vesnina said. "It was so important for me, for my country."
After both teams split the four singles matches in the best-of-five tie, Vesnina and teammate Nadia Petrova eked out a 7-5 first-set victory in the doubles action.
The U.S. evened the second set at 6-6 to force a tiebreaker, and Petrova double-faulted to give the Americans a 1-0 edge, Barre Montpelier Times Argus reports.
A late replacement on the team for the injured Maria Sharapova, Vesnina hit three winners and served up an ace to help Russia win the final seven points of the tiebreaker, sealing a 7-5, 7-6 (1) victory.
"I'm a dark horse, but now she’s heard about me, now she knows me," said Vesnina, ranked No. 58 in the world.
Prior to Sunday, Vesnina had never played against Williams, who was fresh off her fourth Wimbeldon title run. According to the Russian, that element of surprise may have played in her team's favor.
"She's never heard about me, she never played against me," Vesnina said. "And maybe that was the plus of our team: she didn't know me. That's why maybe we won our doubles today."
Russian captain Shamil Tarpischev said that the result of the doubles rubber was justice served after Williams eked out a 7-6 (8), 0-6, 6-4 victory over Petrova on Saturday.
According to Tarpischev, the championship tie will be played in Moscow.
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