Serena clinches US win over Belarus

Serena Williams rallied from a set down to beat Anastasia Yakimova 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 on Sunday and clinch the United States' victory over Belarus in a Fed Cup World Group-II tie.

Williams, a 13-time Grand Slam champion, claimed her second singles win of the weekend after beating Olga Govortsova on Saturday in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Yakimova was a late replacement in singles for Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, whose triumph in Melbourne saw her claim the women's world No 1 ranking.

Azarenka had been expected to lead Belarus but pulled out with a sore lower back. She said travel from Australia had exacerbated the problem.

Williams' victory over Yakimova gave the Americans an unassailable 3-0 lead in the best-of-five match tie. Christina McHale beat Yakimova on Saturday for the Americans' first point.

The winners advance to the World Group Playoff and play for a chance to return to the elite group in 2013.

The United States have won the women's nations competition a record 17-times and are playing in the World Group-II for the first time.

Belarus have never played in the World Group.