2013/06/19

Draws Announced for Fed Cup Play-Offs

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(February 13, 2013) The ITF has announced the draws for the 2013 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group and World Group II play-offs on 20-21 April:

 

WORLD GROUP PLAY-OFFS

 

Germany (c) (*) v Serbia (s)

Australia (s) (c) v Switzerland

Spain (c) (*) v Japan (s)

USA (s) (c) (*) v Sweden

 

WORLD GROUP II PLAY-OFFS

 

Belgium (s) (c) v Poland

France (s) (c) (*) v Kazakhstan

Argentina (c) (*) v Great Britain (s)

Ukraine (s) (c) (*) v Canada

 

(s) = seed

(c) = choice of ground

(*) = choice of ground decided by lot

 

 

The 2013 World Group and World Group II play-offs will take place alongside the World Group semifinals on 20-21 April. In the semifinals, Italy will be at home to Czech Republic, and Russia will be at home to Slovak Republic.

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Seeds Announced for Fed Cup World Group and World Group II Play-off Draw

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(February 11, 2013) The ITF has announced the seeds for the Draw for the 2013 Fed Cup World Group and World Group II play-offs. The Draw will take place on Wednesday 13 February at the ITF offices in London at 10:00 GMT.

 

The seeds are based on the new ITF Fed Cup Nations Ranking of 11 February: www.fedcup.com/en/rankings

 

The four seeded nations in the World Group play-offs are:

 

Serbia (1)

USA (2)

Australia (3)

Japan (4)

 

Each of the seeds will be drawn against one of the following unseeded nations:

 

Germany

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

 

The four seeded nations in the World Group II play-offs are:

 

Belgium (1)

Ukraine (2)

France (3)

Great Britain (4)

 

Each of the seeds will be drawn against one of the following unseeded nations:

 

Argentina

Canada

Kazakhstan

Poland

 

 

 

The 2013 World Group and World Group II play-offs will take place alongside the World Group semifinals on 20-21 April. In the semifinals, Russia will be at home to Slovak Republic, and Italy will be at home to Czech Republic.

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Complete Fed Cup Results

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(February 10, 2013) Complete results from the Fed Cup World Group and World Group II first round ties and final results from Europe/Africa Zone Group I in Israel.

Defending champions Czech Republic will play Italy away and Russia will host Slovak Republic in the semifinals to be played on 20-21 April. World Group II winners Germany, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland will compete in the World Group play-offs alongside Australia, Japan, Serbia and USA. Argentina, Belgium, France and Ukraine will join Zone Group I winners Canada, Great Britain, Kazakhstan and Poland in the World Group II play-offs which will also take place on 20-21 April.

In Zonal play, Chile and Peru have been relegated to Americas Zone Group II for 2014, Bosnia/Herzegovina and Georgia have been relegated to Europe/Africa Zone Group II for 2014 and India relegated to Asia/Oceania Zone Group II for 2014. Indonesia has been promoted to Asia/Oceania Zone Group I for 2014.

The World Group and World Group II play-off draws will take place at the ITF headquarters in London at 10am on 13 February. Seeded nations will be announced on 11 February 2013.

WORLD GROUP FIRST ROUND

CZECH REPUBLIC defeated AUSTRALIA 4-0
Venue: Cez Arena, Ostrava, CZE (hard – indoors)

Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) 76(2) 63
Lucie Safarova (CZE) d. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 76(6) 76(4)
Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 26 76(3) 64
Andrea Hlavackova/Lucie Hradecka (CZE) d. Ashleigh Barty/Casey Dellacqua (AUS) 60 76(1)

ITALY defeated USA 3-2
Venue: 105 Stadium, Rimini, ITA (clay – indoors)

Sara Errani (ITA) d. Jamie Hampton (USA) 62 61
Varvara Lepchenko (USA) d. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 26 64 75
Varvara Lepchenko (USA) d. Sara Errani (ITA) 75 62
Roberta Vinci (ITA) d. Jamie Hampton (USA) 62 46 61
Sara Errani/Roberta Vinci (ITA) d. Liezel Huber/Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 62 62

RUSSIA defeated JAPAN 3-2
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Moscow, RUS (hard – indoors)

Maria Kirilenko (RUS) d. Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) 76(3) 64
Ayumi Morita (JPN) d. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 62 62
Ayumi Morita (JPN) d. Elena Vesnina (RUS) 64 61
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) d. Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) 61 61
Ekaterina Makarova/Elena Vesnina (RUS) d. Misaki Doi/Ayumi Morita (JPN) 62 62

SLOVAK REPUBLIC defeated SERBIA 3-2
Venue: Hala “CAIR”, Nis, SRB (hard – indoors)

Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) 75 62
Vesna Dolonc (SRB) d. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 46 45 ret. (severe cramping)
Jana Cepelova (SVK) d. Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) 57 75 119
Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. Vesna Dolonc (SRB) 63 62
Vesna Dolonc/Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) d. Jana Cepelova/Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) w/o

WORLD GROUP II FIRST ROUND

SWITZERLAND defeated BELGIUM 4-1
Venue: Sporthalle Wankdorf, Bern, SUI (clay – indoors)

Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 61 46 86
Romina Oprandi (SUI) d. Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 63 63
Romina Oprandi (SUI) d. Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) 62 62
Stefanie Voegele (SUI) d. Alison van Uytvanck (BEL) 62 76(4)
Timea Bacsinszky/Amra Sadikovic (SUI) d. Ysaline Bonaventure/Alison van Uytvanck (BEL) 64 64

SWEDEN defeated ARGENTINA 3-2
Venue: Parque Roca, Buenos Aires, ARG (clay – outdoors)

Paula Ormaechea (ARG) d. Johanna Larsson (SWE) 63 60
Florencia Molinero (ARG) d. Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) 63 26 61
Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) d. Paula Ormaechea (ARG) 75 67(6) 32 ret. (torn ligament)
Johanna Larsson (SWE) d. Florencia Molinero (ARG) 63 62
Sofia Arvidsson/Johanna Larsson (SWE) d. Mailen Auroux/Maria Irigoyen (ARG) 64 64

SPAIN defeated UKRAINE 3-1
Venue: Club Atlético Montemar, Alicante, ESP (clay – outdoors)

Lourdes Dominguez Lino (ESP) d. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 57 62 86
Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) d. Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) 75 64
Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor (ESP) d. Yuliya Beygelzimer (UKR) 64 62
Yuliya Beygelzimer/Olga Savchuk (UKR) d. Nuria Llagostera Vives/Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor (ESP) 63 26 [10-5]

GERMANY defeated FRANCE 3-1
Venue: Palais des Sports Beaublanc, Limoges, FRA (clay – indoors)

Sabine Lisicki (GER) d. Pauline Parmentier (FRA) 75 75
Julia Goerges (GER) d. Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 63 76(5)
Julia Goerges (GER) d. Pauline Parmentier (FRA) 64 62
Alize Cornet/Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) d. Annika Beck/Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) 63 64

EUROPE/AFRICA ZONE GROUP I

Venue: Municipal Tennis Club, Eilat, Israel (hard – outdoor)

Great Britain and Poland advance to the World Group play-offs on 20-21 April.
Bosnia/Herzegovina and Georgia are relegated to Europe/Africa Zone Group II in 2014

Promotion Play-off
Great Britain defeated Bulgaria 2-0
Laura Robson (GBR) d. Dia Evtimova (BUL) 60 64
Heather Watson (GBR) d. Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) 16 64 62
Laura Robson/Heather Watson (GBR) v. Elitsa Kostova/Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) not played

5th to 8th Play-off
Hungary defeated Netherlands 2-0
Reka-Luca Jani (HUN) d. Bibiane Schoofs (NED) 63 26 63
Timea Babos (HUN) d. Richel Hogenkamp (NED) 62 63
Timea Babos/Reka-Luca Jani (HUN) v. Bibiane Schoofs/Angelique van der Meet (NED) not played

9th to 12th Play-off
Portugal defeated Slovenia w/o

Relegation play-off
Luxembourg defeated Bosnia/Herzegovina 2-0
Claudine Schaul (LUX) d. Anita Husaric (BIH) 46 64 63
Anne Kremer (LUX) d. Jelena Simic (BIH) 67(3) 63 61
Anita Husaric/Jasmina Kajtazovic (BIH) v. Anne Kremer/Claudine Schaul (LUX) not played

 

Results from the International Tennis Federation

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Italy Rallies Past US to Move into Fed Cup Semis

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Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci

(February 10, 2013) Italy came back from 1-2 down to defeat the United States in Fed Cup 3-2 on Sunday in the first round of the World Group in Rimini, Italy.

 

World No. 1 doubles team Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci sealed the win for Italy in the fifth rubber with a victory over Varvara Lepchenko and Liezel Huber 6-2, 6-2.

 

“Errani and Vinci are the weapon,” said Huber. They are like sisters. They are like best friends. They can almost see each other’s body language and predict something before it has happened. They have a different style than what we are used to and stick to their style. They are great singles players and don’t discount doubles. I enjoy watching them play, just not against me!”

 

The United States led 2-1 after Lepchenko beat world No, 7 Errani 7-5, 6-2 in the first of reverse singles on Sunday.

 

“In the first set, I had to get my body started,“ said Lepchenko. “I had a long match yesterday, so I was a bit up and down in the beginning. Once my body warmed up, I was playing better and better in the second set and got pumped and got going.”

 

Vinci rallied for Italy topping Jamie Hampton 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 to send the tie into a fifth rubber.

“I had a tough match yesterday, so I had to regroup and do my best for the team,” Hampton. ”First set, I made a lot of errors and started off like yesterday. I got back together in the second set and thought I had a hold of the match, but I made a lot of errors.”

 

 

Italy will next host defending champion Czech Republic in the Fed Cup semifinals, a rematch of last year’s semifinal. The other semifinal has Slovakia at Russia.

 

Next the United States will play in the World Group Playoff, April 20-21, to remain in contention for the Fed Cup World Group l in 2014 and to try and stave off relegation to World Group II next year. The United States’ opponent will be drawn on Wednesday, February 13, at 10 a.m. GMT at the ITF offices in London.

 

The U.S., who will be seeded will play one of the four winners of the World Group II First Round (Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, or Germany). The host site for Switzerland or Sweden will be determined by a coin toss on Wednesday. The U.S. would host Spain or Germany.

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Great Britain Moves into World Group II Play-Off

Heather Watson

Heather Watson

(February 10, 2013) Great Britain’s Fed Team have defeated Bulgaria 2-0 in their promotional play-off of the Fed Cup Euro/Africa Zone Group I competition. This puts Great Britain into the World Group II play-off on April 20-21. The venue and opponent for the team will be announced by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) at 1100 GMT on Wednesday, February 13.
In Sunday’s first singles rubber, Laura Robson beat Dia Evtimova 6-0 6-4 in exactly an hour. In contrast to Robson’s previous performance against Hungary the previous day where she dropped the opening set 6-0, she came out firing this time and barely dropped a point as she bageled her opponent in 21 minutes. The British No. 2 dropped her serve once in the match as she fell behind 1-2, but broke back immediately and broke again in the final game for victory to put Team GB 1-0 in front. Following the match, Robson said: “I was really happy to get the win and put the team 1-0 up. I definitely played better than yesterday and today conditions were very tough in the wind. Overall I was pleased with my play all week putting the team ahead the three times I played singles.”

 

In the second singles, British No. 1 Heather Watson put in a strong comeback to defeat the opposition’s top singles player, former Wimbledon semifinalist, Tsvetana Pironkova 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 in 90 minutes. After holding to open the match, Watson dropped the next seven games in a row before gaining the second set’s only break for 4-3 and was never threatened again, winning five games in a row herself to lead 4-0 in the decider and breaking again for 5-2. Reflecting on the match, the Watson commented: “I was making too many easy mistakes during the first set and I knew in the second I had to make life tougher for her. Once I got that break in the seventh game I was rolling, and in the third I played really well. It means a lot for the whole team to come here and get the job done. We all had a fantastic time on and off the court during the whole week and it was the best Fed Cup experience yet for me.”

 

Speaking after the tie, Captain Judy Murray said, “Great performances from Laura and Heather today gave us a winning 2-0 lead over Bulgaria and promotion from Euro/Africa Zone I. This win puts us into a play-off in April for a place in World Group II and we are all very much hoping for a home tie. We’ve had a great week with a terrific team spirit. The girls have all worked hard on court and had a lot of fun off court. Fed Cup is the only chance for the girls to play as a team for their country so it’s important that they experience is enjoyable both competitively and socially. We are all looking forward to the draw next Wednesday and to see what comes out of that.

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Latest Fed Cup Results for Europe/Africa Zone Group I and World Groups

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(February 10, 2013) Sunday’s results so far from the Fed Cup  World Group and World Group II first round ties and final results from Europe/Africa Zone Group I in Israel.

Defending champions Czech Republic are the only nation so far through to the semifinals, they are guaranteed an away tie against the winner of Italy and USA. World Group II winners Germany, Spain and Switzerland will compete in the World Group play-offs alongside Australia. Belgium, France and Ukraine will join Zone Group I winners in the World Group II play-offs which will take place on 20-21 April.

From Zonal play, Canada, Kazakhstan, Great Britain and Poland have advanced to the World Group II play-offs. Chile and Peru have been relegated to Americas Zone Group II for 2014, Bosnia/Herzegovina and Georgia have been relegated to Europe/Africa Zone Group II for 2014 and India relegated to Asia/Oceania Zone Group II for 2014. Indonesia has been promoted to Asia/Oceania Group I for 2014.

The World Group and World Group II play-off draws will take place at ITF headquarters in London at 10am on 13 February. Seeded nations will be announced on 11 February 2013.

 

WORLD GROUP FIRST ROUND

CZECH REPUBLIC defeated AUSTRALIA 3-0

Venue: Cez Arena, Ostrava, CZE (hard – indoors)

Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) 76(2) 63

Lucie Safarova (CZE) d. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 76(6) 76(4)

Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 26 76(3) 64

Lucie Safarova (CZE) v Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS)

Andrea Hlavackova/Lucie Hradecka (CZE) v Ashleigh Barty/Casey Dellacqua (AUS)

ITALY level with USA 1-1

Venue: 105 Stadium, Rimini, ITA (clay – indoors)

Sara Errani (ITA) d. Jamie Hampton (USA) 62 61

Varvara Lepchenko (USA) d. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 26 64 75

Varvara Lepchenko (USA) d. Sara Errani (ITA) 75 62

Roberta Vinci (ITA) v Jamie Hampton (USA)

Nastassja Burnett/Karin Knapp (ITA) v Liezel Huber/Melanie Oudin (USA)

JAPAN level with RUSSIA 2-2

Venue: Olympic Stadium, Moscow, RUS (hard – indoors)

Maria Kirilenko (RUS) d. Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) 76(3) 64

Ayumi Morita (JPN) d. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 62 62

Ayumi Morita (JPN) d. Elena Vesnina (RUS) 64 61

Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) d. Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) 61 61

Ekaterina Makarova/Elena Vesnina (RUS) v Misaki Doi/Ayumi Morita (JPN)

SLOVAK REPUBLIC level with Serbia 1-1

Venue: Hala “CAIR”, Nis, SRB (hard – indoors)

Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) 75 62

Vesna Dolonc (SRB) d. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 46 45 ret. (severe cramping)

Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) v Jana Cepelova (SVK)

Vesna Dolonc (SRB) v Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)

Vesna Dolonc/Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) v Jana Cepelova/Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK)

WORLD GROUP II FIRST ROUND

SWITZERLAND defeated BELGIUM 3-1

Venue: Sporthalle Wankdorf, Bern, SUI (clay – indoors)

Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 61 46 86

Romina Oprandi (SUI) d. Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 63 63

Romina Oprandi (SUI) d. Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) 62 62

Stefanie Voegele (SUI) d. Alison van Uytvanck (BEL) 62 76(4)

Timea Bacsinszky/Amra Sadikovic (SUI) v Ysaline Bonaventure/Alison van Uytvanck (BEL)

ARGENTINA leads SWEDEN 2-0

Venue: Parque Roca, Buenos Aires, ARG (clay – outdoors)

Paula Ormaechea (ARG) d. Johanna Larsson (SWE) 63 60

Florencia Molinero (ARG) d. Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) 63 26 61

Paula Ormaechea (ARG) v Sofia Arvidsson (SWE)

Florencia Molinero (ARG) v Johanna Larsson (SWE)

Mailen Auroux/Maria Irigoyen (ARG) v Sofia Arvidsson/Johanna Larsson (SWE)

SPAIN defeated UKRAINE 3-1

Venue: Club Atlético Montemar, Alicante, ESP (clay – outdoors)

Lourdes Dominguez Lino (ESP) d. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 57 62 86

Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) d. Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) 75 64

Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor (ESP) d. Yuliya Beygelzimer (UKR) 64 62

Yuliya Beygelzimer/Olga Savchuk (UKR) d. Nuria Llagostera Vives/Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor (ESP) 63 26 [10-5]

Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) v Elina Svitolina (UKR) not played

GERMANY defeated FRANCE 3-0

Venue: Palais des Sports Beaublanc, Limoges, FRA (clay – indoors)

Sabine Lisicki (GER) d. Pauline Parmentier (FRA) 75 75

Julia Goerges (GER) d. Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 63 76(5)

Julia Goerges (GER) d. Pauline Parmentier (FRA) 64 62

Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) v Sabine Lisicki (GER)

Alize Cornet/Virginie Razzano (FRA) v Julia Goerges/Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER)

EUROPE/AFRICA ZONE GROUP I

Venue: Municipal Tennis Club, Eilat, Israel (hard – outdoor)

Great Britain and Poland advance to the World Group play-offs on 20-21 April.

Bosnia/Herzegovina and Georgia are relegated to Europe/Africa Zone Group II in 2014

Promotion Play-off

Great Britain defeated Bulgaria 2-0

Laura Robson (GBR) d. Dia Evtimova (BUL) 60 64

Heather Watson (GBR) d. Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) 16 64 62

Laura Robson/Heather Watson (GBR) v. Elitsa Kostova/Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) not played

5th to 8th Play-off

Hungary defeated Netherlands 2-0

Reka-Luca Jani (HUN) d. Bibiane Schoofs (NED) 63 26 63

Timea Babos (HUN) d. Richel Hogenkamp (NED) 62 63

Timea Babos/Reka-Luca Jani (HUN) v. Bibiane Schoofs/Angelique van der Meet (NED) not played

9th to 12th Play-off

Portugal defeated Slovenia w/o

Relegation play-off

Luxembourg defeated Bosnia/Herzegovina 2-0

Claudine Schaul (LUX) d. Anita Husaric (BIH) 46 64 63

Anne Kremer (LUX) d. Jelena Simic (BIH) 67(3) 63 61

Anita Husaric/Jasmina Kajtazovic (BIH) v. Anne Kremer/Claudine Schaul (LUX) not played

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Fed Cup Rookie Lepchenko Keeps Team USA’s Hopes Alive in Fed Cup

Lepchenko

 

(February 9, 2013) United States Fed Cup rookie world No. No. 21 Varvara Lepchenko kept US hopes alive against Italy by defeating.  No. 16 Roberta Vinci  2-6, 6-4, 7-5 in the second singles rubber on Saturday to even the first round tie at 1-1. The match, which lasted for two hours and 17 minutes marked the first time the two women had ever faced off against each other.

Italy’s Sara Errani ranked No. 7 defeated Jamie Hampton 6-2, 6-1 in the first rubber.

“Even though this was my first Fed Cup match, I wasn’t that nervous because I had the experience in the Olympics,” said Lepchenko. “I was very nervous there, so I didn’t want to let my emotions get to me here in Fed Cup. I thought of this as a first match in a tournament and I just needed to get into it. In the second set, I was in it.”

 

“I was really proud of the way Varvara approached the match and how disciplined she was,” said US Fed Cup captain Mary Joe Fernandez. “Even when she was down, she competed really well. In Fed Cup, things get complicated and there is always tension. It probably wasn’t easy for her playing for the first time in Fed Cup without a home crowd, but she did a great job blocking it out. She kept fighting and kept believing. Varvara has a great game and can play anyone. She can make anyone feel uncomfortable and she did that today. She played her heart out.”

 

 

“It has been amazing to be a part of a team this week,” Lepchenko added.” I have so much support from all of them. I feel like I can’t let them down. I played more for them today than for myself.”

 

Lepchenko led 5-1 in the third set, but the momentum shifted, and the third set was even at 5-5. Lepchenko then broke Vinci and held serve to win the final set, 7-5 on her third try serving for the match. This was Lepchenko’s best career win since beating then-world No. 13 Dominika Cibulkova in the second round of the WTA event in Montreal last year. This was also her best win on clay since upsetting then-world No. 12 Francesca Schiavone en route to the fourth round of the 2012 French Open.

 

 

“I am really proud of the way I handled myself today,” Lepchenko said. “I have had many people cheering against me in many tournaments throughout the year, so this time, I was happy to see my team cheering for me. They really helped me.”

 

The US is 1-1 against Italy going into day 2 play on Sunday. Since the Fed Cup World Group format was instituted in 1995, the U.S. is 8-4 when tied 1-1 with the opposing country. The U.S. is 8-10 when playing on the road and 4-13 when losing the first singles rubber.

Sunday’s schedule – in the first singles match of the day, Varvara Lepchenko and Sara Errani, the No. 1 players from each team, will square off in the third singles rubber followed by Jamie Hampton versus Roberta Vinci. The doubles rubber will close the tie it will feature Melanie Oudin and Liezel Huber for the US against Karin Knapp and Fed Cup rookie Nastassja Burnett for Italy.

 

“We are still in this tie and it is fantastic,“ said Fernandez. “I told the girls that the goal was to win any three matches any which way. We have one, so we are looking for two tomorrow. Varvara will play Sara, who won today, so that will be very tough. Sara has great clay-court variety and is a strong Top 10 player. Jamie will go out there against Vinci and give it her all. I’m excited.”

 

Tennis Channel will provide television coverage of the second day of play beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET on Sunday.

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Fed Cup Results From Fed Cup World Group, World Group II and Zonal Ties

 

FedCupLogo

(February 9, 2013) Saturday’s results from the Fed Cup  World Group and World Group II first round ties taking place on 9-10 February, and from the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Zone Group events also taking place this week.

The four Zone Group events are: Asia/Oceania Zone Group I in Astana, Kazakhstan (6-9 February); Europe/Africa Zone Group I in Eilat, Israel (6-10 February); Americas Zone Group I in Medellin, Colombia (6-9 February); and Asia/Oceania Zone Group II in Astana, Kazakhstan (4-10 February).

Following Saturday’s play, Canada, Kazakhstan and Poland have advanced to the World Group II Play-offs which will take place 20-21 April. Chile and Peru have been relegated to Americas Zone Group II for 2014, Georgia has been relegated to Europe/Africa Zone Group II for 2014 and India relegated to Asia/Oceania Zone Group II for 2014. Indonesia has been promoted to Asia/Oceania Group I for 2014.

 

WORLD GROUP FIRST ROUND

CZECH REPUBLIC leads AUSTRALIA 2-0

Venue: Cez Arena, Ostrava, CZE (hard – indoors)

Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) 76(2) 63

Lucie Safarova (CZE) d. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 76(6) 76(4)

Petra Kvitova (CZE) v Samantha Stosur (AUS)

Lucie Safarova (CZE) v Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS)

Andrea Hlavackova/Lucie Hradecka (CZE) v Ashleigh Barty/Casey Dellacqua (AUS)

ITALY level with USA 1-1

Venue: 105 Stadium, Rimini, ITA (clay – indoors)

Sara Errani (ITA) d. Jamie Hampton (USA) 62 61

Varvara Lepchenko (USA) d. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 26 64 75

Sara Errani (ITA) v Varvara Lepchenko (USA)

Roberta Vinci (ITA) v Jamie Hampton (USA)

Nastassja Burnett/Karin Knapp (ITA) v Liezel Huber/Melanie Oudin (USA)

RUSSIA level with JAPAN 1-1

Venue: Olympic Stadium, Moscow, RUS (hard – indoors)

Maria Kirilenko (RUS) d. Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) 76(3) 64

Ayumi Morita (JPN) d. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 62 62

Maria Kirilenko (RUS) v Ayumi Morita (JPN)

Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) v Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN)

Margarita Gasparyan/Elena Vesnina (RUS) v Misaki Doi/Ayumi Morita (JPN)

SLOVAK REPUBLIC level with Serbia 1-1

Venue: Hala “CAIR”, Nis, SRB (hard – indoors)

Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) 75 62

Vesna Dolonc (SRB) d. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 46 45 ret. (severe cramping)

Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) v Dominika Cibulkova (SVK)

Vesna Dolonc (SRB) v Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)

Vesna Dolonc/Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) v Jana Cepelova/Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK)

WORLD GROUP II FIRST ROUND

BELGIUM level with SWITZERLAND 1-1

Venue: Sporthalle Wankdorf, Bern, SUI (clay – indoors)

Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 61 46 86

Romina Oprandi (SUI) d. Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 63 63

Romina Oprandi (SUI) v Yanina Wickmayer (BEL)

Stefanie Voegele (SUI) v Kirsten Flipkens (BEL)

Timea Bacsinszky/Amra Sadikovic (SUI) v Ysaline Bonaventure/Alison van Uytvanck (BEL)

ARGENTINA leads SWEDEN 2-0

Venue: Parque Roca, Buenos Aires, ARG (clay – outdoors)

Paula Ormaechea (ARG) d. Johanna Larsson (SWE) 63 60

Florencia Molinero (ARG) d. Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) 63 26 61

Paula Ormaechea (ARG) v Sofia Arvidsson (SWE)

Florencia Molinero (ARG) v Johanna Larsson (SWE)

Mailen Auroux/Maria Irigoyen (ARG) v Sofia Arvidsson/Johanna Larsson (SWE)

SPAIN leads UKRAINE 2-0

Venue: Club Atlético Montemar, Alicante, ESP (clay – outdoors)

Lourdes Dominguez Lino (ESP) d. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 57 62 86

Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) d. Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) 75 64

Lourdes Dominguez Lino (ESP) v Lesia Tsurenko (UKR)

Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) v Elina Svitolina (UKR)

Nuria Llagostera Vives/Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor (ESP) v Yuliya Beygelzimer/Olga Savchuk (UKR)

GERMANY leads FRANCE 2-0

Venue: Palais des Sports Beaublanc, Limoges, FRA (clay – indoors)

Sabine Lisicki (GER) d. Pauline Parmentier (FRA) 75 75

Julia Goerges (GER) d. Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 63 76(5)

Pauline Parmentier (FRA) v Julia Goerges (GER)

Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) v Sabine Lisicki (GER)

Alize Cornet/Virginie Razzano (FRA) v Julia Goerges/Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER)

AMERICAS ZONE GROUP I

Venue: Country Club de Ejecutivos, Medellin, COL (clay – outdoors)

Promotion Play-off

Canada defeated Brazil 2-1

Paula Cristina Goncalves (BRA) d. Sharon Fichman (CAN) 06 60 64

Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) d. Teliana Pereira (BRA) 62 62

Gabriela Dabrowski/Sharon Fichman (CAN) d. Teliana Pereira/Laura Pigossi (BRA) 76(4) 75

3rd to 4th Play-off

Paraguay defeated Colombia 2-1

Montserrat Gonzalez (PAR) d. Laura Ucros (COL) 36 76(2) ret.

Yuliana Lizarazo (COL) d. Lis Camila Giangreco-Campiz (PAR) 67(6) 61 63

Veronica Cepede Royg/Montserrat Gonzalez (PAR) d. Mariana Duque Marino/Yuliana Lizarazo (COL) 62 63

Relegation Play-offs

Venezuela defeated Chile 2-1

Andrea Gamiz (VEN) d. Cecilia Costa (CHI) 62 62

Fernanda Brito (CHI) d. Adriana Perez (VEN) 63 64

Andrea Gamiz/Adriana Perez (VEN) d. Fernanda Brito/Cecilia Costa (CHI) 62 63

Mexico defeated Peru 3-0

Marcela Zacarias (MEX) d. Ferny Angeles (PER) 63 63

Ana Sofia Sanchez (MEX) d. Patricia Ku (PER) 62 63

Ana Paula Dela Pena/Ximena Hermoso (MEX) d. Ferny Angeles/Ximena Siles (PER) 61 64

EUROPE/AFRICA ZONE GROUP I

Venue: Municipal Tennis Club, Eilat, Israel (hard – outdoor)

Pool D

Bulgaria defeated Slovenia 3-0

Dia Evtimova (BUL) d. Tina Rupert (SLO) 61 60

Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) d. Tjasa Srimpf (SLO) 1-0 ret.

Elitsa Kostova/Isabella Shinikova (BUL) d. Andrea Klepac/Tina Rupert (SLO) 62 63

Netherlands defeated Luxembourg 3-0

Richel Hogenkamp (NED) d. Tiffany Cornelius (LUX) 62 63

Arantxa Rus (NED) d. Anne Kremer (LUX) 62 62

Angelique van der Meet/Bibiane Schoofs (NED) d. Anne Kremer/Claudine Schaul (LUX) 62 63

Pool B

Great Britain defeated Hungary 2-1

Laura Robson (GBR) d. Greta Arn (HUN) 06 62 61

Heather Watson (GBR) d. Timea Babos (HUN) 63 62

Reka Luca Jani/Katalin Marosi (HUN) d. Johanna Konta/Laura Robson (GBR) 64 26 62

Portugal defeated Bosnia/Herzegovina 2-1

Anita Husaric (BIH) d. Joana Vale Costa (POR) 63 60

Michelle Larcher De Brito (POR) d. Jelena Simic (BIH) 63 36 62

Michelle Larcher De Brito/ Barbara Luz (POR) d. Dea Herdzelas/Anita Husaric (BIH) 61 60

Promotion Play-off

Poland defeated Croatia 2-1

Ana Konjuh (CRO) d. Urszula Radwanska (POL) 26 63 76(6)

Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Donna Vekic (CRO) 63 62

Agnieszka Radwanska/Urszula Radwanska (POL) d. Darija Jurak/Ana Konjuh (CRO) 62 64

5th to 8th Play-off

Israel defeated Belarus 2-0

Julia Glushko (ISR) d. Lidziya Marozava (BLR) 62 64

Shahar Peer (ISR) d. Ilona Kremen (BLR) 63 62

Lidziya Marozava/Aliaksandra Sasnovioch (BLR) v Julia Glushko/Shahar Peer (ISR) not played

9th to 12th Play-off

Austria defeated Romania 2-1

Melanie Klaffner (AUT) d. Cristina Dinu (ROU) 60 63

Raluca Olaru (ROU) d. Nicole Rottmann (AUT) 76(3) 61

Melanie Klaffner/Nicole Rottmann (AUT) d. Cristina Dinu/Raluca Olaru (ROU) 63 62

Relegation Play-off

Turkey defeated Georgia 3-1

Basak Eraydin (TUR) d. Sofia Kvatsabaia (GEO) 60 63

Sofia Shapatava (GEO) d. Cagla Buyukakcay (TUR) 75 63

Cagla Buyukakcay/Pemra Ozgen (TUR) d. Margalita Chakhnashvili/Sofia Shapatava (GEO) 75 62

ASIA/OCEANIA ZONE GROUP I

Venue: National Tennis Centre, Astana, KAZ (hard – indoor)

Promotion Play-off

Kazakhstan defeated Uzbekistan 2-1

Ksenia Pervak (KAZ) d. Nigina Abduraimova (UZB) 60 64

Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) d. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) 16 75 64

Yaroslava Shvedova/Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) d. Nigina Abduraimova/Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) 62 64

3rd to 4th Play-off

Thailand defeated China, P.R. 2-1

Noppawan Lertcheewakarn (THA) d. Tang Hao Chen (CHN) 62 57 63

Wang Qiang (CHN) d. Nudnida Luangnam (THA) 64 62

Luksika Kumkhum/Varatchaya Wongteanchai (THA) d. Tang Hao Chen/Zhou Yi-Miao (CHN) 63 46 75

Relegation Play-off

Korea, Rep. defeated India 3-0

Lee So-Ra (KOR) d. Rutuja Bhosale (IND) 76(5) 61

Han Sung-Hee (KOR) d. Rishika Sunkara (IND) 64 63

Kang Seo-Kyung/Yoo Mi (KOR) d. Ankita Raina/Kyra Shroff (IND) w/o.

ASIA/OCEANIA ZONE GROUP II

Venue: National Tennis Centre, Astana, KAZ (hard – indoor)

Promotion Play-off

Indonesia defeated Hong Kong, China 2-0

Lavinia Tananta (INA) d. Katherine Ip (HKG) 61 46 76(4)

Ayu-Fani Damayanti (INA) d. Venise Chan (HKG) 62 63

Venise Chan/Katherine Ip (HKG) v Aldila Sutjiadi/Ayu Fani Damayanti (INA) not played

3rd to 4th Play-off

New Zealand defeated Philippines 2-0

Abigail Guthrie (NZL) d. Anna Clarice Patrimonio (PHI) 63 60

Emily Fanning (NZL) d. Marinel Rudas (PHI) 64 63

Abigail Guthrie/Emma Hayman (NZL) v Marian Capadocia/Anna Clarice Patrimonio (PHI) not played

5th to 6th Play-off

Vietnam defeated Malaysia 3-0

Thi-Tam-Hao Tran (VIE) d. Theiviya Selva Rajoo (MAS) 63 36 63

Trang Huynh Phuong Dai (VIE) d. Alyssa Boey (MAS) 61 60

Khanh Huynh Phi/Van Nguyen Ai Ngoc (VIE) d. Aslina Chua/Theiviya Selva Rajoo (MAS) 76(5) 62

7th to 8th Play-off

Turkmenistan defeated Kyrgyzstan 3-0

Jahan Bayramova (TKM) d. Arina Beliaeva (KGZ) 46 60 64

Anastasiya Prenko (TKM) d. Bermet Duvanaeva (KGZ) 63 36 60

Anastasiya Prenko/Jahan Bayramova (TKM) d. Arina Beliaeva/Bermet Duvanaeva (KGZ) 61 61

9th to 10th Play-off

Singapore defeated Pakistan 3-0

Geraldine Ang (SIN) d. Sara Mansoor (PAK) 64 61

Rheeya Doshi (SIN) d. Ushna Suhail (PAK) 62 46 64

Rehmat Johal/Khee Yen Wee (SIN) d. Saba Aziz/Sara Mansoor (PAK) 36 62 76(2)

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Great Britain Defeats Hungary at Fed Cup

HeatherWatsonWTA

(February 9, 2013) Great Britain Fed Cup Team have defeated Hungary 2-1 in their third tie of the Fed Cup Euro/Africa Zone Group I competition. This puts the Group B winners, Great Britain, into a promotional play off against the winners of Group D, Bulgaria, at 0930 (0730 GMT) on Sunday morning.
In Saturday’s first singles rubber, Laura Robson beat Greta Arn 0-6, 6-2, 6-1 in one hour 33 minutes. Robson was sluggish in the beginning, winning only nine points during the whitewash 20-minute opening set. The British No. 2 then took an injury time-out to for tightness in her left shoulder. Robson saved two break points to start the second set and once she broke in the fourth game she was never in danger again. Robson broke to level the match and won the first five games of the decider before her Hungarian opponent could hold one last time. Following the match, Robson said: “After the first set I thought it can’t get any worse. I didn’t give myself the best start with too many easy errors. I had some treatment on my shoulder to loosen it up and that also gave me some time to regroup and play better tennis in the second and third sets.”

 

In the second singles, British No. 1 Heather Watson put in a strong performance to defeat the opposition’s top singles player Timea Babos 6-3, 6-2 in 85 minutes. Watson broke twice to lead 3-0, was caught at 3-all but took seven games in a row from there, to turn momentum firmly her way. Reflecting on the match, the Watson commented: “I was really happy to turn it around from yesterday and I was much stronger mentally today. I didn’t panic when she got back to 3-all, sticking to my game plan and the second set was easier. It feels great to get through to the play-offs tomorrow and we will give it everything we have got.”

 
In the dead doubles rubber, Johanna Konta and Laura Robson were unable to prevent the Hungarian team of Reka Luca Jani and Katalin Marosi winning 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 in one hour, 37 minutes.

 

 

Speaking after the tie, Captain Judy Murray said, “It was great to establish a winning lead after the singles against Hungary today although we got off to the worst possible start when Laura lost the first set 6-0. But she made a remarkable recovery to win in three and Heather found some of her best form to beat Timea Babos in straight sets. Today’s win puts us top of Group B and sets up a promotion play off with Group B winners Bulgaria. Tsvetana Pironkova, a former Wimbledon semi finalist, is their No. 1 so we are anticipating at tough battle.

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US Fed Cup Team Takes on Italy This Weekend in Rimini

Fed Cup logo

(February 8, 2013) The United States will take on Italy in the Fed Cup World Group First Round this weekend. Play begins Saturday at 3:00 p.m. local time on an indoor clay court at the 105 Stadium in Rimini, Italy.

The US team goes into the tie with the pressure of being huge underdogs. “There is always pressure,” said said US Fed Cup Captain Mary Joe Fernandez. “This comes with the sport and team competition, you aren’t just out there for yourself. The Italians are the favorites and they have a wonderful record, but we have been in this situation many times before. All of the players have different styles on both teams and we have to make the adjustments as they come.

“I am expecting to do well. If we win, it won’t be a surprise. We are going in with a very positive attitude and will take each match as it comes and fight our hearts out to do our best. We know the capabilities of both sides and this will bring out the best in both teams. It will be an interesting tie.”

 

World No. 64 Jamie Hampton, who will be making her live Fed Cup singles debut will open the tie against world No. 7 Sara Errani. Hampton and Errani have met once on the WTA Tour—in the first round of the US Open Series event in Cincinnati in 2010, where Errani won the meeting 6-4, 6-2. Hampton enters Fed Cup with an appearance in the third round of the 2013 Australian Open and a semifinal showing at the WTA event in Auckland, New Zealand, the week prior. Errani will be playing in her eleventh Fed Cup singles match (6-4 record), but just her fifth live singles rubber. She is 1-3 in live singles rubbers.

 

“I am excited to make my Fed Cup debut in a live singles match,” said Hampton. “Errani is a great clay court player and is having a lot of success. The match will start off level, so I’ll go out there and give it my all. It should be a good start.”

 

“Errani, as we all know, plays the best on clay and moves very well,“ said US Fed Cup Captain Mary Joe Fernandez. “Through the years, the Americans have really developed on clay and like playing on clay. Everyone on my team has enjoyed practicing on it this week. They have had good results on it, as well. Unlike ten years ago, where everyone was very apprehensive about clay, we are looking forward to it and we like the challenge.”

 

The second singles rubber will see world No. 21 Varvara Lepchenko face off against world No. 16 Roberta Vinci. Like Hampton, Lepchenko will also be making her Fed Cup debut. Lepchenko reached the fourth round of the French Open last year, her career-best Grand Slam singles result, and reached the doubles semifinals at the 2013 Australian Open. Lepchenko has been living in the U.S. since 2001 after receiving political asylum. She officially changed her nationality in 2007 to play for the U.S and became an official U.S. citizen in September 2011. Vinci holds a 1-3 record in Fed Cup singles matches and has never won a live singles match (0-3 record). Vinci is also a doubles specialist and currently ranked No. 1 in doubles after winning the 2013 Australian Open doubles title with Errani, who is currently ranked No. 2 in doubles. Lepchenko and Vinci have never faced each other on the WTA Tour.

In this tie, the United States makes its return to the World Group after starting its 2012 Fed Cup campaign in World Group II for the first time ever. The match will mark the 12th matchup between the U.S. and Italy in Fed Cup competition. The two countries last met in the 2010 Fed Cup final in San Diego and also faced each other in the 2009 final in Reggio Calabria, Italy, both won by the Italians. The U.S., however, leads the overall series, 9-2. The U.S. last won against Italy in the 2003 World Group quarterfinal in Washington D.C. The winner of this tie will advance to the semifinals, held April 20-21.

 

This will be the fifth year as U.S. captain for Mary Joe Fernandez. Fernandez led the U.S. to consecutive Fed Cup finals appearances in her first two years as captain (2009 and 2010), where the team faced Italy both times. She was the first U.S. captain to accomplish that feat since Marty Riessen in 1986-87. Fernandez holds a 6-4 record as U.S. Fed Cup captain.

The order of play for the weekend:

DAY/LOCAL TIME MATCH PAIRING

Saturday, 3:00 p.m. Singles A: Jamie Hampton (USA) vs. Sara Errani (ITA)

Singles B: Varvara Lepchenko (USA) vs. Roberta Vinci (ITA)

Sunday, 1:30 p.m. Singles C: Varvara Lepchenko (USA) vs. Sara Errani (ITA)

Singles D: Jamie Hampton (USA) vs. Roberta Vinci (ITA)

Doubles: Liezel Huber/Melanie Oudin (USA) vs. Karin Knapp/ Nastassja Burnett (ITA)

Television viewers in the United States will be able to watch the tie live on Tennis Channel beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET on Saturday and 7:30 a.m. ET on Sunday.

 

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