Dominant start by SA Fed Cup team

Johannesburg - The South African Fed Cup team made a solid start to their week long campaign in Tallinn, Estonia on Wednesday.

Boosted by the inclusion of South Africa's highest world ranked player, Chani Scheepers, they thumped African rivals Egypt 3-0 in their opening tie.

In the opening rubber late Wednesday, South African number two Chanel Simmonds beat second seed Sandra Samir of Egypt 6-0 6-2 to take an important lead.

"I was very happy with my first serve percentage, it contributed to my aggressive game," Simmonds said.

Scheepers then had little trouble dispatching Egypt's number one Ola Abou Zekry 6-0 6-1.

Captain Earl Grainger was delighted by the positive attitude both his singles players showed on court.

"I wanted us to go out and dominate from the word go, and the girls played very well," he said.

In a dead doubles rubber, South Africa's Michelle Sammons and Ilze Hattingh combined well to beat Samir and Zekry 6-4 6-3.

South Africa next face tournament favourites Estonia. The two nations had met five times previously in Fed Cup competition, with South Africa leading the head-to-heads 3-2.