Fed Cup: Semis

[Correspondent Kiu]

Yes, the Semis will be on in a couple of days.
http://www.fedcup.com/en/home.aspx

Italy vs. Czech Republic
Russia vs. Slovak Republic

We also have:
WORLD GROUP PLAY-OFFS
20-21 APR 2013
Germany v Serbia
Porsche-Arena, Stuttgart, Germany
Switzerland v Australia
Tennis Club Chiasso, Chiasso-Seseglio, Switzerland
Spain v Japan
Real Club de Polo, Barcelona, Spain
USA v Sweden
Delray Beach Tennis Center, Delray Beach, USA
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WORLD GROUP II PLAY-OFFS
20-21 APR 2013
Belgium v Poland
Tennisclub Koksijde, Koksijde, Belgium
France v Kazakhstan
Palais des Sports de Besançon, Besançon, France
Argentina v Great Britain
Parque Roca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ukraine v Canada
Sport Club Meridian, Kiev, Ukraine

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

The Americans sent some heavy guns for their rubbers against the Swedes.

Here is the team:

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

The Russians.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Team Great Britain

 

[kskate2]

Sloane is stinking up the court w/ a plethora of UE. Down 2 breaks in the final set 0-3. Serena to play the 2nd rubber.

 

[jhar26]

Team Great Britain

Am I the only one who thinks that in some pictures Laura Robson is a Kate Middleton lookalike?

 

[colleen66]

Sloan lost he match and played badly. Is anyone trying to get her focused once again?

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Sloan lost he match and played badly. Is anyone trying to get her focused once again?

If this doesn't help her, hopefully the clay season will.

Here are some surprising results from the first day of competition and the first two rubbers.
Italy is ahead of Czech republic 2-0
Slovakia ahead of Russia 2-0
Germany 1-1 Serbia
Spain 2-0 Japan
USA 1-1 Sweden

Everyone in world group II split their first day rubbers.

 

[Hoergren]

Here is a list of matches you can see streamed today:

http://www.streamhunter.eu/tennis-live-streaming-video.html

The German team:

 

[Mastoor]

Where's the photo of the prettiest of them all, Serbian team?

It's pity there's always someone missing from the team. Ana Ivanovic beat both Bartel and Kerber but that may not be enough in the end.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Where's the photo of the prettiest of them all, Serbian team?

It's pity there's always someone missing from the team. Ana Ivanovic beat both Bartel and Kerber but that may not be enough in the end.

Like you said, the team is always missing something, in this case, Ana in the picture!

Even better, IMHO is the Slovak team.

:heart:

see all pictures here:
http://www.fedcup.com/en/photos/galleries/gallery.aspx?id=139436#

 

[kskate2]

Serena wins both her singles matches. The US leads 2-1. Mary Jo replaces Sloane w/ Venus for the 4th rubber. Interesting...

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I know quite interesting, but it is not surprising. Mary Jo gave Sloane a shot. I actually think Mary Jo was trying to get Sloane used to the idea of pressure by having her play first. I think tactically speaking though I would have had Serena play the first match and win so Sloane may have relaxed and played better for her match. I think if Venus wins Lepchenko and Sloane will play doubles.

 

[kskate2]

I know quite interesting, but it is not surprising. Mary Jo gave Sloane a shot. I actually think Mary Jo was trying to get Sloane used to the idea of pressure by having her play first. I think tactically speaking though I would have had Serena play the first match and win so Sloane may have relaxed and played better for her match. I think if Venus wins Lepchenko and Sloane will play doubles.

Agree totally. Serena should've played, first since she is the closer. You're right Varvara/Sloane will play if it's a dead rubber.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Tacky come on Team USA just going to award the doubles match to the Swedes. Disappointed you play that out until the end.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

The Russians did a dramatic come-back and won 3 rubbers in a row to beat the Slovaks.

Germany had their own comeback and won 3-2 against Serbia.

As mentioned above USA 3-2 Sweden.

Japan lost 0-4 to Spain
Poland 4-1 Belgium
Canada 3-2 Ukraine
Argentina 3-1 Great Beitain
France 4-1 Kazakhstan

Two other sites got rain delay, Italy and Switzerland.
Will update later.

 

[golds girl]

Where's the photo of the prettiest of them all, Serbian team?

It's pity there's always someone missing from the team. Ana Ivanovic beat both Bartel and Kerber but that may not be enough in the end.

Like you said, the team is always missing something, in this case, Ana in the picture!

Even better, IMHO is the Slovak team.

:heart:

see all pictures here:
http://www.fedcup.com/en/photos/galleries/gallery.aspx?id=139436#

Wow, did the Serbian girl on the right miss the memo about dress code??

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Late scores:

Aussies beat Switzerland 3-1

Surprise of the cup?

The two time defending Champion Czech Republic got knocked out by host country Italy.
Final Score:
Italy 3-1 Czech

Read more here:
http://www.fedcup.com/en/news/145011.aspx

Finals will be between Russia and Italy.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Serena wins both her singles matches. The US leads 2-1. Mary Jo replaces Sloane w/ Venus for the 4th rubber. Interesting...

Everyone saw that coming.. Sloane isnt ready even though her ranking says she is.. I think Sloane needs to be dropped down to the B team..Not because she lost but the way she did. I know she is young but she really showed not that much of an effort. IMO.... Congrats to the Sistas and the rest of the US squad.

 

[tossip]

Sloane is just a boring player,there is no buzz when she is playing just a blah blah player.The thing that is buzzworthy about her is her footin the mouth sickness.