Friday, February 6, 2015

Czech Republic B team vs. Canada B team in Fed Cup competition




Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova won't be in Quebec City this weekend for the World Group Fed Cup tie, but neither will Genie Bouchard or Aleks Wozniak. The defending champions' team isn't exactly, lame, however. It consists of Karolina Pliskova, Lucie Hradecka, Tereza Smitkova and Denisa Allertova. Francoise Abanda, Gabriela Dobrowski and Sharon Fichman will play for the Canadian team.

In what will probably be the most interesting tie, Italy will compete against France on red clay in Genoa. There is definitely a "home team" feel there. Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci will be joined by Camila Giorgi and Karin Knapp. Playing for France are Alize Cornet, Caroline Garcia, Kiki Mladenovic, and Pauline Permentier. Should there be a deciding doubles rubber, the idea of Errani and Vinci playing Mladenovic and Somebody promises likely excitement.

In Krakow, Poland will face Russia. Both Radwanskas will play. Aga, of course, is a practically a one-woman (winning) Fed Cup team, but things are going to be tough this time around. Playing for Russia are Maria Sharapova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenova, and Vitalia Diatchenko. In charge is captain Anastasia Myskina, who once declared she would not play on her country's team if Sharapova were on it. That was a long time ago, but it gives us a little extra drama.

Finally, 2014 runner-up Germany will play Australia in Stuttgart. Angelique Kerber and Andrea Petkovic may be a bit much for the Australian team to handle.

In World Group II, The Netherlands plays the Slovak Republic, Romania plays Spain, Sweden vies against Switzerland, and Argentina faces the USA, whose team includes both Williams sisters. Anna Schmiedlova has replaced Dominika Cibulkova on the Slovak Republic's team.

2 comments:

Todd.Spiker said...

Well, 12-10 in the 3rd. Hopefully this will kick-start Petko's season.

Meanwhile... oh, Sam.

Diane said...

I think Petko is becoming one of those Flavia-like Fed Cup players. I, too, hope it translates. Can't wait to see how she handles Charleston.