Ana Ivanovic did her part. She beat both Mona Barthel and Angelique Kerber in the Fed Cup World Group Play-Offs. Bojana Jovanovski, however, lost to both Barthel and Kerber. Everything depended on the doubles rubber, but even Aleksandra "Magic Charm" Krunic--perhaps because she had to JJ as a partner--couldn't save Serbia. Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Sabine Lisicki beat Krunic and Vesna Dolonc 6-2, 6-4, thus saving Germany's Fed Cup status.
Spain beat Japan 4-0, and the USA beat Sweden 3-2, though part of the "2" was a dead rubber that Sweden won in a walkover. Not surprisingly, Sloane Stephens did not play today. Her substitute was Venus Williams, who appeared to be having trouble with her back again. Williams needed eight match points to defeat Johann Larsson in straight sets.
Switzerland and Australia have yet to play. The entire weekend was rained out. When play finally begins, Australia's Samantha Stosur will play Switzerland's Stefanie Voegele.
In World Group II Play-Offs, Poland beat Belgium 4-1, France beat Kazakhstan 4-1, Argentina defeated Great Britain 3-1, and Canada defeated Ukraine 3-2.
So far, this Fed Cup weekend has lived up to my expectations, and more. Unfortunately, Italy and the Czech Republic are my two favorite Fed Cup teams, so it wasn't like I could enthusiastically cheer for one of them. On the other hand, I'll be glad for whoever goes to the final.
9 comments:
Did you see Belgium play? Flipkens was sending out some angry tweets about the line judges...
I didn't get to see Belgium. The only anger I saw was from Hantuchova when she--surprise!--got a time violation warning. It really fired her up, too. She went on a tear after that.
What is the story on injuries in the US team? I keep reading that the US forfeited the doubles because 3 of 4 players were injured, but no one is reporting which players are injured or the nature of their respective injuries. I'm hoping the lack of reporting means the injuries are relatively minor, but does anyone have details?
Beth
Venus had a lumbar strain, which was pretty obvious in her singles play. Serena had a right foot strain, and Varvara had a left calf strain
Vinci has just clinched the SF tie for Italy with a 3-set win over Safarova in the 2nd reverse singles rubber. Congrats to Italy in joining Russia for the final tie.
Was nevertheless most pleased with Kvitova's 3-set win over Errani in the 1st reverse singles tie earlier today. Kvitova's 4-6, 1-6 loss to Vinci had been such a very sad affair to witness on Saturday.
Just hope Kvitova does eventually figure out some way to somehow pull herself out of the self-destructive dynamics/maze (coach, shape, etc.)she's been struggling with/in for what seems far too long a period of time.
quid
She doesn't seem to know how to come out with confidence; she has to hope to build it as the match goes on. Not good. And yes, there's a fitness issue.
Petra is the finest ball striker ever seen anywhere. That makes her state of mind especially hard to understand, and especially tragic, so far.
Thanks for the injury update!
Beth
You're welcome, Beth.
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