U.S. to Play France This Weekend for Spot in Fed Cup Final

U.S. to Play France This Weekend for Spot in Fed Cup Final

Madison Keys practicing at the 2018 Fed Cup semifinals at Arena Du Pays D’Aix in Aix-En-Provence, France, on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. Photo: Ashley Marshall

(April 19, 2018) The United States Fed Cup Team is looking to reach its second straight Fed Cup Final as it takes on France in the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Semifinal. The best-of-five match series will take place on an indoor clay court at the Arena Du Pays D’Aix in Aix-en-Provence, France, April 21-22.

Play begins on Saturday, April 21, at 2 p.m. local time (8 a.m. ET) with two singles matches. On Sunday, play will continue, starting at 1 p.m. local time (7 a.m. ET), with two reverse singles matches and the doubles match. A revised schedule for Sunday may take place if a team clinches in the third or fourth match.

The Official Draw Ceremony for the U.S. vs. France Fed Cup World Group Semifinal will take place at 12:30 p.m. local time on Friday, April 20, at the Arena Du Pays D’Aix.

The U.S. is 11-2 all-time against France in Fed Cup competition in a rivalry dating back to 1966. France won the last meeting in the 2014 World Group Playoff in St. Louis, 3-2, in a fifth-and-decisive doubles rubber. The U.S. last beat France in the 2010 World Group First Round, 4-1, in Lievin, France.

“Obviously they have a strong team,” said US Captain Kathy Rinaldi. “So do we. I think my expectations are the same
every time we have a tie, and that’s for us to be united and have each other’s backs and support one another.

“We’re here to win. We’re here to compete. Just another great opportunity.

“I think the biggest challenge obviously is when you play an away match, you have the crowd. I think everyone here has experienced the French crowd. We’re excited for it. It’s a lot of fun. I remember playing in front of them as a player at the French Open. Yeah, I think it’s going to be a great weekend. We’ve worked hard, had a great week of practice. We have one more, then we’re ready to go.”

The winner of this matchup will advance to the Fed Cup Final, Nov. 10-11. The U.S. Fed Cup Team won its record 18th Fed Cup title in November against Belarus, 3-2, in Minsk. This was the U.S.’s first Fed Cup title since 2000. The United States is looking to reach back-to-back Fed Cup finals for the first time since finishing runner-up in 2009-10, while France is looking for a place in its second final since 2005.

Tennis Channel will be airing the tie this weekend.