The French Fed Cup team for the February 4-5 event, in which France plays the Slovak Republic, will be composed of Alize Cornet, Pauline Parmentier, Virginie Razzano, and Aravane Rezai. Once again, France's top player, Marion Bartoli, has been left off of the team.
The Italian Fed Cup team includes Francesca Schiavone, Flavia Pennetta, Sara Errani, and Roberta Vinci. This is, of course, the team that has led Italy to the Fed Cup championship in the past. Italy will play Ukraine.
Captain Mary Joe Fernandez has named Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Christina McHale, and Liezel Huber to the USA's team for the February competition. Sloane Stephens is the alternate. The USA will play Belarus.
5 comments:
Where is Bethanie Mattek-Sands??
Does anyone really believe Venus will be healthy to play?
Bethanie entered qualifying for the Paris indoor tournament. She told MJF that she's available on an emergency basis (same for Vania King, who's playing in Pattaya City). And no, I don't really think Venus will be able to make it.
American Fed Cup: Yes, where is Mattek-Sands? She is still playing well and has such heart. Vania King also has been making progress-but somehow they keep her under the radar. As much as the Williams sisters would be able to shore up the team in the past, I just don't know about now. With them it is all about the Olympics which I understand.
French team: Maybe Bartoli doesn't fit in with the French Federation mindset but she is the best French player-even Amelie (who I love) couldn't get to the semis of her home Major. Marion has elan even though she works outside the box-also the French people embraced her at Roland Garros. She could really help the French Fed Cup team and is the best chance for a French medal in the Olympics. It might be good for the Americans but the French Federation is just throwing away their chances.
I know that King wants to be in Pattaya City because she's trying to qualify for the Olympics. There's just a lot going on all at once.
It really does seem strange that Bartoli wouldn't be at the Olympics. There's still a small chance she'll get an exception from the ITF, but her chances are looking slim. What an odd situation.
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