Verdasco saved break points in the fifth game for 3-2.
Pierce saved three break points in the first game of the match and never looked back.
He also recorded his first major league save in the same game.
In 2006 he set the school's career saves record in the second game of the year.
Dementieva, looked tense from the start and was forced to save a break point in the second game.
Mayotte even saved three match points in the 10th game.
The Italian saved three match points at 0-40 in the 22d game.
She then saved three break points in the next game before closing out the set with an ace.
Rubin immediately returned the favor and saved three break points in the next game to go ahead by 5-3.
Burke made the first save in the game, as both teams started cautiously.