La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club
Team USA has arrived in California for the opening round of the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas tournament and is ready to face the German squad at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club.
Leading the American contingent is three-time Grand Slam singles champion Lindsay Davenport, followed by nine-time Grand Slam doubles winner Lisa Raymond, Laura Granville, and Ashley Harkleroad.
Facing Team USA is Germany, led by Tatjana Malek, Julia Goerges, Sabine Lisicki, and Anna-Lena Groenefeld.
Speaking Wednesday during the pre-draw press conference, outgoing USA Fed Cup captain Zina Garrison was optimistic about the team’s hopes of reaching the semifinal round against Russia or Israel.
“I think any time you go on the court there’s a 50/50 chance, but I think we have a great chance,” said Garrison, who will be replaced in 2009 by Mary Joe Fernandez. Fernandez is participating this season as the team coach.
“I think the team that we put together here is extremely strong. We’re loving the facilities. The courts are good. So we’re really looking forward to it. I’m really happy to have Lindsay here playing Fed Cup as well as Laura and Lisa and also Ashley, so it’s great.”
Securing Lindsay Davenport’s participation was a major coup for Garrison, who was unsuccessful in enlisting Venus and Serena Williams’ help. Davenport, a California native, has offered her services to the team not only in singles, but is also expected to partner long-time friend Lisa Raymond in doubles as well.
The last time Davenport participated in Fed Cup was in 2005, when the United States defeated the Belgian team (playing without Justine Henin or Kim Clijsters) 5-0 in the first round.
Three year’s removed from team competition, Davenport is excited to be back among her Fed Cup teammates.
“It feels really great and exciting,” Lindsay said. “It’s always been a highlight of every year, being a part of the team again, seeing everybody, the same faces from the USTA, being in this atmosphere.”
Like Garrison, Davenport believes that the USA is the favorite to reach the semifinals, but will still need to be wary of the young German team.
“I’m really excited to see how the U.S. can do this year”, continued Davenport. “Obviously, we start off here against Germany, against a team that we’re probably considered the favorites against. But I think that they’re a very dangerous underdog, have some very good young players. So we’ve got to definitely be on our game here.”
Two singles matches will be played between the USA and Germany on Saturday, followed by two reverse singles and one doubles match on Sunday.
For more information on the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas, please visit the official website at www.fedcup.com.
was the first round of Fed cup played so early in the season last year?
Venusfan, Fed Cup is early this year because of the Summer Olympics.
Last season it was contested in April.
oh. ok. that makes sense. it just felt a bit weird it being played so soon after the Aussie Open. thanks.