Serena Williams wins, Venus added in Fed Cup

Serena Williams has been the difference for the U.S. in the Fed Cup so far, lifting the team to a 2-1 lead.

Alan Diaz/AP

Top-ranked Serena Williams boosted the United States to a 2-1 lead over Sweden in the Fed Cup World Group on Sunday with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Sofia Arvidsson.

U.S. captain Mary Joe Fernandez also substituted Venus Williams, ranked 22nd in the world, for 16th-ranked Sloane Stephens for the next singles match, against Johanna Larsson.

In the first set, Serena Williams struggled while serving the third game into the sun. She yielded Arvidsson three break points - the only break point chances the Swede had - but Williams managed to win the game.

In the second set, the 54th-ranked Arvidsson held serve once, in the sixth game. It was too late by then.

The winner of this series earns a spot in the 2014 Fed Cup World Group competition, with the loser relegated to 2014 World Group II action.