Williams posted a 7-6 (8/6), 0-6, 6-4 victory over Nadia Petrova Saturday to deliver a needed point for the USA against Russia.

The victory in the second singles match put the Americans level at 1-1 after the first day of the best-of-five-match tie.

Italy was also at 1-1 against France after Shiavone registered her second straight FedCup victory over Amelie Mauresmo.

All eyes were focused on Williams on the hard court at Topnotch, as she is expected to carry the US in the absence of younger sister Serena, who is nursing an injury sustained at Wimbledon.

Her win proved even more important as 18-year-old American Vania King dropped a 6-1, 6-3 decision to Anna Chakvetadze in the opening match.

Despite losing the first three games, Williams rallied to take the first set in a tiebreaker.

Petrova responded by blowing past Williams in the second to force a third set.

In the deciding set, Williams overcame a break of serve that left her down 3-4 by winning the last three games.

On Sunday, Williams will open against Chakvetadze before King takes on Petrova.

In the concluding doubles, King and top doubles player Lisa Raymond are slated to face Petrova and Elena Vesnina.

Mauresmo lost for the fourth time in eight meetings against the experienced Schiavone, going down in straight sets 7-5, 6-3 on a day when on-court temperatures shot up to 42 degrees Celsius.

Earlier in the day, Tatiana Golovin had given France a winning start to the tie beating Tathiana Garbin 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.

Mauresmo was 5-3 ahead in the opening set but Schiavone then reeled off the next four games to take the opening set 7-5. The Italian then dominated the second set much to the delight of the home fans.

"I had problems today," said Mauresmo. "In the first set I led without really dominating."

"I need to get more confidence and only then will something happen, but right now I need to quickly forget about this game and focus on Sunday."

The win was Schiavone's third in a row over the former world number one.

"The most important is that I gave my team a point, and we only need two points on Sunday," said the Italian.

"I love playing for my country and it is the first time that I win in front of my home crowd."