2013/06/20

Americans in Paris – Day Two at Roland Garros

SloaneStephens

Sloane Stephens

(May 27, 2013). Americans went 8-4 in Paris on the day 2 of the French Open. Here is a look at how they all fared:

First round: Sloane Stephens (17) (USA) def. Karin Knapp (ITA) 6-2, 7-5

In a bit of a slump since reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open and the recent coverage of her controversial comments during an ESPN magazine interview, Stephens said that she was positive about her win.

“Obviously really excited to be back here.  Had a great year last year, and this was one of my favorite tournaments.  So it’s good to be back and playing a lot better than a couple weeks ago.

Just excited to be back on the court and playing well again.

Stephens commented  on the media attention since her ESPN interview after aftermath off-court:

“Yeah, I mean, it’s been okay for me.  Obviously I haven’t had that many good results leading up to the clay season, so to get some match in on my favorite surface and get some confidence back and kind of just start feeling ball better.

“It wasn’t that my mind wasn’t on the court.  I just needed to find a balance, and obviously that’s tough.

“I’m only 20 years old, so I have a lot to learn and a long ways to go.  Just finding the right balance is what we’re doing.

“It’s been fine for me.  My really good friend came and my mom is here.  I’m just having a good time.  It’s been fun.

“I mean, obviously attention is attention.  It comes, it goes.  When you’re winning they love it; when you’re losing they love it.  It’s all the same really.”

 

First round: John Isner (19) (USA) def. Carlos Berlocq (ARG) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4

 

First round: Varvara Lepchenko (29)(USA) def. Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) 6-1, 6-2

 

First round: Martin Klizan def. Michael Russell (USA) 3-6 6-3 6-1 Ret. Left hamstring injury

 

First round: Madison Keys (USA) def. Misaki Doi (JPN) 6-3, 6-2

At 18, Keys is the youngest of the American women in the main draw. She is No. 58 in the world.

 

First round: Jana Cepelova (SVK) def. Christina McHale (USA) 7-6(3) 2-6 6-4

McHale who was struck with glandular fever last year is ranked 53rd in the world.

 

First round: Albert Montanes(ESP)  def. Steve Johnson (USA) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1

The former NCAA champion Johnson extended the recent Nice Open titlist to five sets.

 

First round: Ryan Harrison (USA) def. Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4)

Harrison will play fellow American and Davis Cup teammate John Isner in the second round.

 

First round: Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) def. Lourdes Dominguez Lino (ESP) 6-4, 6-1

With 15 women in the main draw of the French Open at the beginning of the tournament, Mattek is proud of so many U. S. women moving up in the rankings. “It’s a great group of girls coming up. They’re talented. They’re all pretty fun to be around. They got good personalities.”

She commented that just a few years ago, people kept asking her about the state of U.S. women’s tennis.

 

First round: Vania King (USA) def. Alexandra Cadantu (ROU) 7-6(3), 6-1

King made it through to the main draw by going through the qualifying tournament.

 

First round: Michal Przysiezny (POL) def. (LL) Rhyne Williams (USA) 6-3, 6-7, 7-5, 7-5

Williams who came into the tournament as a lucky loser, lost to the same person who defeated him in the final round of the Qualifying tournament.

 

First round: Melanie Oudin (USA) def. Tamira Paszek (28) (AUT) 6-4, 6-3

Almost four years ago Oudin made it to the quarterfinals of the U. S. Open as 17-year-old. She spoke about pressure on her then as an American player.

“I definitely put a lot of pressure on myself after everything, “she said to media. “It’s a totally different story now. There’s so many Americans now coming up, and so many in the top 100. It is nice to not have it all on me….I mean, it really was all on me at that time. Like, besides the Williams sisters, everyone was like, `Oh, who’s going to be the next upcoming American?’ And it’s like, `OK, it’s going to be Melanie, because you got to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open.’ It was a lot. And I was young.”

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Uncle Sam at the Down Under Slam – Day 1 Edition

Venus Williams photo © Enrique Fernandez for Tennis Panorama

Venus Williams photo © Enrique Fernandez for Tennis Panorama

(January 14, 2013) Looking at how American tennis players fared on day one of the 2013 Australian Open.

American tennis players went  6-3 on the first day of the Australian Open with Venus Williams leading the way with a 6-1, 6-0 victory against Galina Voskoboeva.

“Obviously it’s nice to spend less time on the court, and not be in long sets,” Williams said after the match. She  had a first-serve percentage of 70 percent and converted on 6 of 11 break point chances.

“I don’t think my opponent quite got the hang of – you know, it’s hard to play the first match in a major, first thing of the year, and that can be a lot of pressure.” Williams said of her opponent “I did my best to just close it out.”

Sam Querrey, who is the highest ranking American man, due to the withdrawal of 13rh ranked John Isner, came back from a set down to defeat Daniel Munoz-De La Nava of Spain 6-7 (2-7), 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.

Querrey will take on another American in the second round, Brian Baker, who defeated American turned Russian Alex Bogomolov Jr. 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-7 (0), 3-6, 6-2.

Ryan Harrison came back from a set down to advance, defeating Santiago Giraldo of Colombia 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.  Bad news for Harrison – he’ll face top seed Novak Djokovic in the second round.

Spain’s Nicolas Almagro, the 1th0 men’s seed outlasted American qualifier Steve Johnson in a first round five-set marathon 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-7 (6), 6-2. Johnson was the first reigning NCAA champion to qualify for the Australian Open.

Tim Smyczek came into the tournament as lucky loser, and thanks to housemate John Isner’s withdrawal  due to a right knee injury, made it into the main draw. Smyczek was a winner on Monday with a 6-4, 7-6, 7-5 victory over Ivo Karlovic.

Veteran Michael Russell fell to No. 5 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 6-3, 7-5, 6-3.

Touted as “one to watch” seventeen year-old Madison Keys won her first match in Melbourne on Monday with a 6-4, 7-6 (0) victory against Casey Dellacqua of Australia.

Sorana Cirstea had no problems beating American Coco Vandeweghe  6-4 6-2 in first round action.

Americans scheduled for Tuesday play in Melbourne include No. 3 Serena Williams, 29 seed Sloane Stephens, Vania King, Jamie Hampton, Melanie Oudin, Vavara Lepchencko, Lauren Davis, Rajeev Ram, and Rhyne Williams.

Karen Pestaina for Tennis Panorama News

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US Women go 10 for 10 in First Two Days of French Open

Who says Americans can’t play on clay? In the first two days of the French Open, the ladies from the United States are a perfect 10 for 10 in wins. It’s the first time since 2003 that so many US women have gained a berth in the second round in Paris. In 2003 11 US women made the second round.

The US women can still add to their total in the second round, as two more women Serena Williams and Jamie Hampton take the court on Tuesday for their first round matches.

Monday, May 28th results

Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) d. (12) Sabine Lisicki (GER) 64 63
(Q) Lauren Davis (USA) d. (30) Mona Barthel (GER) 61 61
Christina McHale (USA) d. (Q) Kiki Bertens (NED) 26 64 64
Vania King (USA) d. Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) 64 62
Varvara Lepchenko (USA) d. Ksenia Pervak (KAZ) 62 67(6) 64
Sloane Stephens (USA) d. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 64 76(6)

Sunday, May 27th results

Venus Williams (USA) d Paula Ormaechea (ARG) 46 61 63
Irina Falconi (USA) d Edina Gallovits-Hall (ROU) 36 63 61
(Q) Alexa Glatch (USA) d Anna Tatishvili (GEO) 63 57 64
(WC) Melanie Oudin (USA) d Johanna Larsson (SWE) 63 63

In five of the past seven years, a mere four American ladies made it out of the first round in Paris.

“A couple years ago everyone was asking me the opposite questions on why American tennis was so bad, said Bethanie Mattek-Sands who upset 12th seed Sabine Lisicki on Monday.  “I told them, I think we have some great young players coming up.  It’s just the WTA right now has a lot of depth.

“It really shows that some of the Americans are coming through playing tough, grinding it out here on the clay, and it’s awesome, I think.”

“It’s exciting.” Sloane Stephens said about all of the American women coming through. “I was just talking to Christina (McHale) in the locker room.  I’m like, Who do you play?  She’s like, I play Lauren Davis.  I’m like, Oh, my God.  I play Bethanie.

“So all the Americans are playing Americans, but it’s good that we’ll have people in the third round.  So that’s always nice.”

In terms of American women on clay”I don’t think anything’s changed,” Stephens continued.  “It’s always been the same.  Maybe people got tough draws before.  I don’t know what methods people are using or what’s been different, but we’re winning.”

“Maybe it’s a little bit extra firepower or some extra come ons or some heart.  I’m not sure.

“But to everyone that got a win, that is really exciting, because everyone always says that we’re not good on clay.

“That’ll prove ‘em wrong.”

 

As for the US men, although Andy Roddick and Ryan Harrison crashed out in the first round, John Isner, Jessie Levine, and comeback player Bryan Baker are through to the second round. Sam Querrey, James Blake, Donald Young will face huge challenges to advance to the second round when they play their first round matches on Tuesday.

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On the Green Carpet – Photos from the BNP Paribas Open Players’ Party

 

INDIAN WELLS, California (March 8, 2012) – The BNP Paribas Open held their players’ party at the IW club on Thursday night. Driving up to the “Green Carpet” in classic cars included the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Victoria Azarenka, Petra Kvitova, Andy Murray, Ana Ivanovic, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, John Isner, Agnieszka Radwanska, Jelena Jankovic, David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez and a host of others.

Photos by Curt Janka and Jennifer Knapp.  Follow Tennis Panorama News’ BNP Paribas Open coverage here an on our twitter @TennisNewsTPN.

 

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King and Shvedova Complete Doubles Field for WTA Year-End Championships

Vania King playing Carlsbad

Vania King and Yaroslava Shvedova have clinched the final doubles spot in the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships, to be hosted at the Erdem Arena in Istanbul, Turkey from October 25-30, 2011.

King and Shvedova wil be returning to the year-end Championships for the second consecutive year. The rest of the field will be Peschke/Katarina Srebotnik, Liezel Huber/Lisa Raymond and Gisela Dulko/Flavia Pennetta.

“We are very excited and proud to be going to the Championships for the second time.  We didn’t think at the beginning of the year that we would be in this position but we’ve had a very solid season and hopefully cemented ourselves at the top.  We know that we still have to work hard and improve and hope that we can go far in the Championships,” said Vania King.

The WTA’s year-end tournament will feature the world’s top eight singles players and top four doubles teams competing for the title and a share of the $5 million in prize money.

 

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USA and Germany Face Off in Fed Cup World Group Playoff

The United States will try to stay in the Fed Cup World Group for 2012 as they compete against face Germany this weekend in the Fed Cup World Group Playoff in Stuttgart.

Order of Play

Saturday, 7:00 a.m. ET

Singles A: Christina McHale (USA) vs. Andrea Petkovic (GER)

Singles B: Melanie Oudin (USA) vs. Julia Goerges (GER)

 

Sunday, 5:30 a.m. ET

Singles C: Melanie Oudin (USA) vs. Andrea Petkovic (GER)

Singles D: Christina McHale (USA) vs. Julia Goerges (GER)

Doubles:  Liezel Huber/Vania King (USA) vs. Anna-Lena Groenefeld/Sibine Lisicki (GER)

U.S. Fed Cup Captain Mary Joe Fernandez

On the singles lineup: “It is great that we have a very versatile team. Both Melanie and Christina have been playing on the clay and doing well and everyone was a possibility. So we will start with this lineup but it can always change. But this is the lineup we are going to start with.”
Melanie Oudin

On playing Petkovic: “Whenever you lose to someone, if you play them again a few weeks later, you want to get revenge on them. She is going to bring some good tennis so I have to be ready.”

 

When asked about this weekend’s tie against Germany: “I feel good. I feel like we have been practicing really well and we are ready for tough matches this weekend. Everyone is going to give it their all and hopefully we can come out with the win.”
Christina McHale

When asked about playing first: “I think it will be good to start. There won’t be any results yet so I can just go play and see what happens.”

 

On the team playing on clay: “I think each day all of us are getting more used to the surface and conditions. I think we will just give it our all and see how it goes.”
Vania King

When asked about adjusting since being asked to come back on the U.S. Fed Cup team: “I feel like I have adjusted really well. Wednesday I was really tired but I felt like I had a good practice. Yesterday I felt really good and today I feel great again.”

 

On playing on clay: “I am really having fun on the clay, I feel like I have improved a lot on it. Liezel and I are going to tough it out in doubles no matter what, but our first priority is the team. So I want us to win really fast.”

 

Liezel Huber

On the tie coming down to the deciding doubles match: “If it comes to the deciding doubles match, it means we would have lost two matches by then so I am really not hoping for any losses. It is just something you say you hope it comes down to the doubles but in fact, we hope to finish it before then.”

 

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Net Notes For April 13, 2011

In the news:

Andy Murray‘s losing streak is now history. The Scot stopped Radek Stepanek in Monte-Carlo 6-1, 6-4 to break a four-match losing streak dating back tot he final of the Australian Open.

 

Vania King will replace Bethanie Mattek-Sands on the US Fed Cup team against Germany this weekend. Mattek-Sands is suffering from Hip and back injuries.

Vania King to Replace Injured Bethanie Mattek-Sands on US Fed Cup Team for World Group Playoff Against Germany

Fed Cup: U.S. Notes and Quotes from Pre Draw News Conference

 

Martina Navratilova Honored at Ellis Island

Martina Naratilova (AP Photo/The Statue of Liberty)

The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation honored Martina Navratilova at the 10th annual Ellis Island Family Heritage Awards, Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at Ellis Island in New York. Navratilova, who was born in communist Czechoslovakia in 1956 and defected at the U.S. Open at the age of 18, was presented with the B.C. Forbes Peopling of America Award – which honors immigrants who arrived after the Ellis Island era.

 

Wayne Odesnik talks about getting his career back on track in an article by Douglas Robson in USA Today.

 

Fernando Verdasco

Fernando Verdasco

Fernando Verdasco‘s upset in Monte-Carlo on Wednesday at the hands of fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo means that he’ll fall out of the top ten.

 

Ana Ivanovic is on the cover of the Latin American magazine Vanidades

 

 

RESULTS - WEDNESDAY, 13 APRIL, 2011

Singles - Second Round
[1] R Nadal (ESP) d J Nieminen (FIN) 62 62
[3] [WC] A Murray (GBR) d [WC] R Stepanek (CZE) 61 64
[4] D Ferrer (ESP) d F Lopez (ESP) 62 60
T Robredo (ESP) d [6] F Verdasco (ESP) 64 63
[7] J Melzer (AUT) d R Haase (NED) 36 61 62
[8] G Monfils (FRA) d D Gimeno-Traver (ESP) 75 62
[9] N Almagro (ESP) d [Q] M Gonzalez (ARG) 67(6) 75 76(10) – saved 4 M.P.
[11] V Troicki (SRB) d F Fognini (ITA) 63 46 64
[13] R Gasquet (FRA) d G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 62 61
[15] M Cilic (CRO) d [Q] P Riba (ESP) 52 ret. (right knee)
[16] G Simon (FRA) d A Montanes (ESP) 63 64
[Q] F Gil (POR) d F Mayer (GER) 75 61

Doubles - Second Round
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d E Gulbis (LAT) / V Troicki (SRB) 63 61
[2] M Mirnyi (BLR) / D Nestor (CAN) d R Gasquet (FRA) / I Ljubicic (CRO) 62 75
[4] L Kubot (POL) / O Marach (AUT) d [WC] J Benneteau (FRA) / J Chardy (FRA) 76(5) 46 12-10
J Chela (ARG) / B Soares (BRA) d [8] R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) 62 64

Doubles - First Round
G Monfils (FRA) / J Tsonga (FRA) d L Dlouhy (CZE) / J Tipsarevic (SRB) 64 75
E Butorac (USA) / J Rojer (AHO) d G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) / A Montanes (ESP) 46 64 10-8

ORDER OF PLAY – THURSDAY, 14 APRIL, 2011

COURT CENTRAL start 10:30 am
M Raonic (CAN) vs [4] D Ferrer (ESP)

Not Before 11:30 AM
[1] R Nadal (ESP) vs [13] R Gasquet (FRA)

Not Before 1:30 PM
[15] M Cilic (CRO) vs [2] R Federer (SUI)
[3] [WC] A Murray (GBR) vs [16] G Simon (FRA)
G Monfils (FRA) / J Tsonga (FRA) vs [5] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL)

COURT DES PRINCES start 10:30 am
I Ljubicic (CRO) vs [5] [WC] T Berdych (CZE)
T Robredo (ESP) vs [11] V Troicki (SRB)
[Q] F Gil (POR) vs [8] G Monfils (FRA)
[7] J Melzer (AUT) vs [9] N Almagro (ESP)

COURT 2 start 12:00 noon
[6] R Bopanna (IND) / A Qureshi (PAK) vs E Butorac (USA) / J Rojer (AHO)

Not Before 2:00 PM
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs M Granollers (ESP) / T Robredo (ESP) – After Suitable Rest

COURT 9 start 12:00 noon
J Chela (ARG) / B Soares (BRA) vs S Stakhovsky (UKR) / M Youzhny (RUS)


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Fed Cup: U.S. Notes and Quotes from Pre Draw News Conference

The U.S. Fed Cup team held a pre-draw news conference on Wednesday ahead of the 2011 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Playoff versus Germany in Stuttgart this weekend. Here are the highlights:

U.S. Fed Cup Captain Mary Joe Fernandez

On Bethanie Mattek-Sands not able to join the team, and bringing in Vania King: “We’ve had Bethanie on our team pretty consistently over last couple of years, and she’s been very valuable to the team. However, Vania was able to come and support the team on very short notice. We’re happy that she’s here so quickly. This is a team that’s been together before and knows each other well, and it’s great.”

 

On the pressure of playing in the Fed Cup World Group Playoff: “We always feel pressure playing Fed Cup. When you are on a team representing your country it’s a feeling like no other. You really feel that more is riding on your shoulders every time. This is the third time [in U.S. Fed Cup history] that we’re in this position to stay in the World Group, and the fact that we are away definitely makes it more challenging. But we play every match and do our best. Hopefully we can come out with three victories.”

 

On players’ strengths and characteristics as a group: “This team has great chemistry and gets along really well. This is a young team, but its great having Liezel with the experience, and having played often on a big stage of an event. She knows when she gets out there what the moment means. For Melanie, Christina and Vania, they’ve played already in Fed Cup, and that’s important. Christina was able to play last year in France, Vania has been playing for a few years, and now Melanie for the past couple of years. The more you get to play under these conditions and under these pressure moments, especially when you’re away, it’s very different. When you have to deal with the crowd and the atmosphere, you need time to get used to that. All the players mesh well with different game styles, but it all works together very well.”

When asked about the pressures of being the “underdog”: “We are used to being the underdog. I think just about every time we’ve played we’ve been the underdog. Fed Cup is different. You can’t really go by the paper all the time and the rankings. You get out there and it’s a very different ball game sometimes. The favored gets very nervous, and the underdog feels like they can swing away a little more, and then again sometimes the underdog gets nervous. You just have to wait for the moment to come and see how you’re going to handle it.”

On Venus Williams playing: “Venus will be coming to support the team but she is not one hundred percent recovered from her injury, so she will not be playing.“

 

 

Melanie Oudin

On playing Julia Goerges recently in Miami, and playing on different surfaces: “I think I played a really good match against her in Miami, and it was in the states which was  better for me. The crowd was definitely for me there, and the crowd here is obviously going to be against me. If Christina plays against her, I’d get to give some good tips about [Julia]. And on the different surfaces, obviously playing on red clay is lot more different than hard court, so hopefully it will be good for this weekend.”

Christina McHale

When asked about the state of her game and playing against Andrea Petkovic: “I feel like I’m at a good point in my game right now. I’m just trying to get used to the conditions here. I haven’t played against any of the [German] players. I just need to keep practicing and playing hard this week.”

 

 

Vania King

When asked about getting the call from Mary Joe Fernandez: “I got the call out of the blue, and was on my way back to Miami that day. I made the decision in thirty minutes. I love playing Fed Cup and I’ve played with all of these players before so I know them well and we also get along very well. So I’m looking forward to a good match.”

 

 

Liezel Huber

When asked about not playing doubles with Bethanie Mattek-Sands: “When I found out that Bethanie was not coming, I wasn’t thinking about myself, or whoever I was going to be playing with. It’s about the team, and who are we going to find as the next best player. I think each one of these players bring so much to the table. We have a great group of American players coming up, and whoever Mary Joe picks will be great.

 

On playing with Vania: “When Vania said to Mary Joe she will call her back, I stayed and waited the whole time, so I’m very excited. Vania has been playing great in doubles. She and I had a good match the tie before [in Belgium], and we feel comfortable on the court. No pressure on the singles players, but we hope it comes down to the doubles for us.”

 

Tennis Channel will present daily coverage of the Fed Cup tie between the United States and  Germany beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET on Saturday and 12:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. There will also be full coverage of the team on www.USTA.com this week and for a link to official live scoring this weekend

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Vania King to Replace Injured Bethanie Mattek-Sands on US Fed Cup Team for World Group Playoff Against Germany

The USTA has announced that Vania King will replace Bethanie Mattek-Sands on the U.S. Fed Cup team that will face Germany this weekend in the 2011 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Playoff  in Stuttgart, Germany. King will join teammates Melanie Oudin, Christina McHale and Liezel Huber in Stuttgart on Wednesday.

 

Mattek-Sands aggravated a hip injury during a loss Sunday in the doubles final at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston.

 

“We are fortunate that Vania is willing to answer the call on short notice and join the team. She’s been a great team member who is very versatile and can step in and play either singles or doubles.” said Fernandez. “Bethanie had a great run at Family Circle Cup, reaching the doubles final.  Unfortunately she got hurt, but hopefully she can recover and get back on the court soon. She’s been a valuable member for our team the last two years. We look forward to having her on the Fed Cup team again.”

 

King is currently the world’s No. 6 doubles player and will be making her seventh appearance for the U.S. Fed Cup team.  Last year, King partnered with Yaroslava Shvedova to capture the doubles titles at both Wimbledon and the US Open.

 

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Fed Cup:U.S. vs. Belgium – Notes and Quotes and Day 1 Preview

Kim Clijsters and Bethanie Mattek-Sands (Getty Images)

United States vs. Belgium

Fed Cup by BNP Paribas 2011 World Group Quarterfinal

Sportpaleis * Antwerp, Belgium * February 5-6

The United States’ quest to reach the Fed Cup final for the third straight year begins at the 2011 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Quarterfinal at Belgium. Play begins Saturday at 1:30 p.m. local time (7:30 a.m. ET) on an indoor hard court at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp, Belgium. This is the seventh meeting between these two nations in Fed Cup, with the U.S. owning a 5-1 advantage. Belgium’s only victory came at the 2006 World Group Semifinal in Ostend, Belgium, which is also the only meeting between these two nations contested in Belgium.

The U.S. has won the Fed Cup a record 17 times and is seeking its first title since 2000. Belgium’s sole Fed Cup title came in 2001. The U.S. reached its second consecutive final last year, where they lost to Italy in San Diego and also faced Italy in the 2009 final in Italy. The U.S. has only lost a first round tie twice (1997 in the Netherlands and 2002 in Raleigh, N.C. versus Austria) and both occurrences came in the team’s first match after winning the title (the U.S. did not compete in the 2001 semifinals after winning the title in 2000), meaning the U.S. Fed Cup has never lost two consecutive ties in the history of the competition.

This is Belgium’ s first appearance in World Group I since a 5-0 loss to the U.S. in the 2007 first round in Delray Beach, Fla. The hosts have won 10 of its last 12 home ties. The U.S. is a modest 7-8 in away matches since Fed Cup adopted the home-away format in 1995, but has only lost once on the road in the first round in five matches.

ORDER OF PLAY

The opening day of play in the best-of-five match series features each country’s No. 1 singles player against the No. 2 player from the opposing country. The exact order of play (which country’s No. 1 plays first) was determined at the Draw Ceremony on Friday. The second day of competition begins on Sunday with the “reverse singles,” starting with each country’s No. 1 player squaring off followed by the No. 2 players and then the doubles match. Each match is best-of-three-sets.

DAY/LOCAL TIME MATCH PAIRING

Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Singles A: Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) vs. Yanina Wickmayer (BEL)

Singles B: Melanie Oudin (USA) vs. Kim Clijsters (BEL)

Sunday, 1:30 p.m. Singles C: Mattek-Sands (USA) vs. Clijsters (BEL)

Singles D: Oudin (USA) vs. Wickmayer (BEL)

Doubles: Liezel Huber/Vania King (USA) vs. Kirsten Flipkens/An-Sophie Mestach (BEL)

Captains: Mary Joe Fernandez (USA), Sabine Appleman (BEL)

QUOTES FROM FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERNECE

U.S. Fed Cup Captain Mary Joe Fernandez

On the outcome of today’s draw ceremony: “It really doesn’t matter who plays first. Both Melanie and Bethanie have had that opportunity of leading the team with the first match. It’s a matter of playing your best whenever you play and approaching it the right way.”

On the anticipated daily crowds of 10,000+: “This will be the biggest crowd we have played against the last couple of years. Loudest was for sure was the Czech Republic (2009 semifinals in Brno). This (anticipated 10,000+ daily) is about double the size of what we have had. We expected a battle. It is great for Fed Cup. It is great for both teams. We are gonna pretend they are rooting for us the whole time.”

On doubles: “We have always been real fortunate with our doubles. Liezel (Huber) has been a great supporter (of Fed Cup) and been there every time and has played some critical matches for us. I have always said I want it to come down to the doubles. That’s always my goal. If we win before that it is a bonus, but we like our chances if we get down to the doubles.”

Bethanie Mattek-Sands

On the transition from Australia to Belgium for her and Kim Clijsters: “I was there pretty much there til the end, playing in the mixed doubles in Australia (she reached the semis), so I was home (in Arizona) for literally 30 hours and I had to fly here. It’s a lot of traveling, but I have had a couple of days to get adjusted. She (Kim) has probably taken some time off as well. I think on the tour you are used to playing week to week. I think we’re both in shape, so we’ll be good.”

Melanie Oudin

On playing Kim Clijsters in the second match on Saturday:“ I am really excited that I get to play her. It should be a really good match. I’m gonna give it everything I have. I am a little bit happy that Bethanie is going first. It gives me more time to prepare tomorrow. It should be a really good match and I’m looking forward to it.”

On being the underdog: “Our team has come through before when we’ve been the underdog. Hopefully we can do it again. Belgium is a really tough team.”

From  United States Tennis Association Public Relations

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