Fed Cup: Sharapova sees Russia through

Russia, Czech Republic, Germany and France all advance!

The Federation Cup, often abbreviated to the ‘Fed Cup,’ took place this weekend with the 8 best countries in the World Group vying for semi final spots.

Czech Republic beat Canada 4-0 on indoor hard courts in Quebec City, Canada

The Czech’s had no Petra Kvitova or Lucie Safarova. The Canadian’s had no Eugenie Bouchard. The tie was lacking star quality, but that didn’t matter as the defending champions proved they could do it without their best in tow. Rising star, Karolina Pliskova did most of the damage, beating both Francoise Abanda and Gabriela Dabrowski in straight sets.

France beat Italy 3-2 on indoor clay in Genoa, Italy

After the 1st day of play, the former 4 time champions looked set for another semi final after both Sara Errani and Camila Giorgi won in straight sets. However, the French fought back sensationally, thanks to Kristina Mladenovic cruising past steadfast Errani and Caroline Garcia recovering to beat the hit and miss Giorgi from a set behind. Who’d have thought that the two would then team up to overwhelm the world’s number 1 doubles team, Errani and Roberta Vinci for the loss of only 3 games? A poor showing by the Italian’s on the whole, as if they can’t make it happen on clay, they can’t make it happen anywhere.

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Russia beat Poland 4-0 on indoor hard courts in Krakow, Poland

Russia can always rely on Maria Sharapova to show up for Fed Cup duty one year ahead of the Olympics. In order to participate in an Olympics, a player must have made themselves eligible for Fed Cup play at some point over the past couple of years or so prior to the Games. The cynics would have a field day! Either way, the Russians probably couldn’t care less at this point in time as the world number 2 swatted both Radwanska sisters aside in straight sets, despite losing her way somewhat in the 2nd sets of both matches. Fed cup stalwart, Svetlana Kuznestova also played her role in outlasting world number 8, Agnieszska Radwanska 64 26 62.

Germany beat Australia 4-1 on indoor hard courts in Stuttgart, Germany

Andrea Petkovic deserves a medal! Twice during the weekend she came through epic struggles with two powerful hitters, saving match point to beat Sam Stosur 64 36 12-10 and coming from 2-4 down in the 3rd to beat Jarmila Gajdosova 63 36 86. World number 10, Angelique Kerber had been the one expected to carry last year’s losing finalists home, but her poor recent form continued as she dropped her opener to Gajdosova 46 62 64. Perhaps seeing Petkovic battle through inspired her though, as she returned to beat Stosur 62 64 the following day. In keeping with the marathon theme, Julia Goerges and Sabine Lisicki struggled to subdue Casey Dellacqua and Stosur 67(2) 76(7) 10-6!

Next: Serena to return to Indian Wells

Meanwhile, in World Group II, the USA defeated Argentina convincingly 4-1 on clay in Buenos Aires. The Williams sisters played their part with Venus winning twice in straight sets. World number 1, Serena Williams won her opener but subsequently withdrew due to illness, which isn’t surprising after what we saw in Melbourne.

Romania also won, squeezing past Spain 3-2 on indoor hard courts at home in Bucharest. World number 3 Simona Halep started well in winning her opener before the Romanian President, but was hit off the court 64 63 against the increasingly promising Garbine Muguruza the next day. Though disconsolate after losing to the Spaniard for the 2nd time in as many meetings, she was no doubt overjoyed to see her team mates, Monica Niculescu and Irina-Camelia Begu secure the doubles, albeit in a nerve wracking 3 sets. The Netherlands and Switzerland joined them in the World Group Play-Offs to be held later this year.

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