TENNIS ROUNDUP : Spain Dominates United States to Win the Federation Cup

Led by Arantxa Sanchez Vicario and Conchita Martinez, defending champion Spain defeated the United States on Sunday to win the Federation Cup in Frankfurt, Germany, for the third time.

Sanchez Vicario clinched the title by beating Lindsay Davenport, 6-2, 6-1, after Martinez defeated Mary Joe Fernandez, 6-2, 6-2, in the first singles match. Sanchez Vicario and Martinez then posted a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Gigi and Mary Joe Fernandez in the meaningless doubles match.

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Alberto Berasategui of Spain, a clay-court specialist who in one year has risen from obscurity to what will soon be a top-10 ranking, overcame 120-degree temperatures to beat Andrea Gaudenzi of Italy, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), and win the $1.04-million Mercedes Cup at Stuttgart, Germany.

Berasategui, who lost to Spanish compatriot Sergi Bruguera in the French Open final, relied on his unorthodox forehand in winning the third title of his career.

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Steffi Graf’s powerful forehand and patience paid off as she wore down Lisa Raymond in a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory in the Pathmark Classic final at Mahwah, N.J.

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Stefan Edberg, struggling with his serve early, won the $650,000 Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Australia’s Jason Stoltenberg.

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Larry Dodge of Piedmont won his first national age-group singles championship by surprising 1959 Wimbledon champion Alex Olmedo of Encino, 6-4, 6-4, in the final of the 55-and-over division of the United States Tennis Assn. National Hard Courts at Lindborg Racquet Club in Huntington Beach.

Dick Johnson of St. Louis defeated Leland Housman of San Diego in the 50-and-over division, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.