Russia lifted the Fed Cup for the fourth time in five seasons yesterday after Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Spanish number one Anabel Medina Garrigues and their doubles pair completed a whitewash.

The world number seven's 5-7 6-3 6-4 victory in two hours and 39 minutes gave Russia an unassailable 3-0 lead that was achieved despite the absence of the country's top players and underlined Russia's dominance of the women's game.

The victory for Kuznetsova, who had not won a tournament all year, was no easy matter, however. Medina Garrigues fought bravely with the noisy backing of the near full 4,000-seater stadium, before finally running out of steam in the last set.

"Today it was important for me," said the 23-year-old from St Petersburg. "I felt very nervous, I had so many ups and downs but still, bringing the win for my team, it's amazing."

Kuznetsova said after the match she was leaving the Sanchez-Casal Academy in Barcelona, where she has trained for over a decade, to return to Russia.

"I miss my country and I think I need to do a few things differently to change my game. I love Spain but I think it's time to change, this is what my soul is asking me to do," she said.

In the final rubber, Russian pair Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova beat Carla Suarez and Nuria Llagostera 6-2 6-1.

On Saturday Kuznetsova beat Carla Suarez Navarro 6-3 6-1 and Vera Zvonareva beat Medina Garrigues 6-3 6-4.