By John Zenor

AP Sports Writer

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Liezel Huber sent the United States into the Fed Cup final with a 6-3, 6-1 doubles victory over Russia's Elena Dementieva and Alla Kudryavtseva on Sunday.

The Americans will meet defending champion Italy for the second straight year in the final in November at an undetermined site in the United States. The U.S. has won a record 17 times.

Mattek-Sands beat Ekaterina Makarova 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 earlier Sunday to keep the U.S. title hopes alive. Dementieva's 7-6 (7-4), 0-6, 6-3 win over Melanie Oudin had put the Russians up 2-1.

Mattek-Sands became the first American to win consecutive live matches - fourth singles and then doubles - to close out a Fed Cup match since the best-of-five format was adopted in 1995.

Captain Mary Joe Fernandez (1996) and Lindsay Davenport (1995) are the only Americans to win two last-day live matches.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Bethany Mattek-Sands beat Ekaterina Makarova 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 to keep the United States' Fed Cup title hopes alive.

The reverse singles victory tied the semifinal matchup with Russia at 2-2 on Sunday.

It set up a decisive doubles match with Mattek-Sands teaming up with Liezel Huber against Alla Kudryavtseva and Elena Dementieva.

Mattek-Sands had been 1-3 in Fed Cup singles play but came up with some crowd-pleasing shots and strong play at the net. She flung her racket about 15 feet in celebration of the win.

Mattek-Sands is trying to become the first American to win consecutive live matches - fourth singles and then doubles - to close out a Fed Cup tie since the best-of-five format was adopted in 1995.

Captain Mary Joe Fernandez (1996) and Lindsay Davenport (1995) are the only Americans to win two last-day matches.