PREVIEW: 2006 Fed Cup Semifinal

Spain vs. Italy

Stadium Casablanca, Zaragoza, Spain
Clay (outdoors)

Spain’s Squad: Anabel Medina Garrigues, Lourdes Dominguez-Lino, Maria Sanchez Lorenzo, Virginia Ruano Pascual
Italy’s Squad: Francesca Schiavone, Mara Santangelo, Flavia Pennetta, Romina Oprandi

Draws:
Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) vs. Flavia Pennetta (ITA)
Lourdes Dominguez-Lino (ESP) vs. Francesca Schiavone (ITA)
Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) vs. Francesca Schiavone(ITA)
Lourdes Dominguez-Lino (ESP) vs. Flavia Pennetta (ITA)
Virginia Ruano Pascual/Maria Sanchez Lorenzo (ESP) vs. Romina Oprandi/Mara Santangelo (ITA)

Quick Look:
Spain steamrolled Austria in the first round 5-0, but they will be facing a much stronger team in the form of Italy’s squad. Francesca Schiavone and Flavia Pennetta have been playing extremely well this season and should be able to take Italy to a spot in the final round. Schiavone, Italy’s No. 1 player, is a solid clay-court player and she won both of her quarterfinal matches over France, including an upset over world No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo.

Belgium vs. United States

Sea’rena, Ostend, Belgium
Hardcourt (indoors)

Belgium’s Squad: Kim Clijsters, Leslie Butkiewicz, Kirsten Flipkens, Caroline Maes
United States’ Squad: Jill Craybas, Jamea Jackson, Vania King, Mashona Washington

Draws:
Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) vs. Jill Craybas (USA)
Kim Clijsters (BEL) vs. Jamea Jackson (USA)
Kim Clijsters (BEL) vs. Jill Craybas (USA)
Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) vs. Jamea Jackson (USA)
Leslie Butkiewicz/Caroline Maes (BEL) vs. Vania King/Mashona Washington (USA)

Quick Look:
Justine Henin-Hardenne’s withdrawal opened up a door for the United States’ underdog squad to possibly score a huge upset over host nation Belgium. Kim Clijsters is one of the best hardcourt players on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, but if Jamea Jackson can defeat her in the second match of the tie, the United States may just have what it takes to reach the final.

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