OFF: Who Will Reach the Fed Cup Semifinals?
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Feb 1, 2008 | Print | Email | Bookmark | Free Subscription
The 2008 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas competition begins on Saturday as eight nations vie for a chance to reach the semifinals in April.
Today’s Open Forum Friday is your opportunity to discuss Fed Cup and tell us which countries you think will win this weekend.
Before turning things over to everyone in the comments, here are a few of my thoughts on the first round matches.
Israel vs. Russia
After putting off the inevitable for three years, Maria Sharapova is finally expected to play Fed Cup for Russia on Saturday, although not without an added incentive. Sharapova has come dangerously close to being left off Russia’s Summer Olympic team, making this tie against Israel a do-or-die moment for Sharapova’s Beijing hopes.
Israel will be making Fed Cup history as this is the country’s first World Group match, made even more special by its location on Israeli soil. Shahar Peer will start the weekend’s proceedings with an inspiring win over Dinara Safina, but it will be all downhill from there for Israel as Sharapova goes 2-0.
Pick: Russia defeats Israel 3-2
Germany vs. United States
Germany is fielding a young team of inexperienced players in stark contrast to the United States’ veteran duo of Lindsay Davenport and Lisa Raymond. Zina Garrison’s Fed Cup legacy is still undetermined and nothing would please the outgoing captain more than to bring the Cup home in her final season.
California native Davenport consistently plays her best tennis on her state’s hardcourts, giving Team USA an overwhelming advantage over the German team. Germany’s most experienced player is Anna-Lena Groenefeld, but she has won only one match since August.
Pick: USA defeats Germany 4-1
China P.R. vs. France
Not even shame tactics could help France’s captain Georges Goven bring his best team to China. Marion Bartoli and Amelie Mauresmo said for months that they had no intention of playing Fed Cup this weekend, only to have Goven name them to the team anyway. The captain insisted that he had the right to name France’s top players, and if they withdrew, they would have to take full responsibility. As expected, Mauresmo and Bartoli were not intimidated, leaving Goven a second tier team to take to Beijing.
Pick: China P.R. defeats France 4-1
Italy vs. Spain
It what may be the most competitive of the first round ties, Spain will meet last season’s finalist Italy. The two countries played each other last in the 2006 semifinals, fielding the same singles players before Italy won 3-1. Francesca Schiavone thrives in the Fed Cup environment, and now that Pennetta appears to be back on the upswing, look for Italy to reach the semifinals for the third straight year.
Pick: Italy defeats Spain 3-2
Who do you think will emerge victorious on Sunday? Everyone, thank you for participating and enjoy the tennis this weekend!
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Vicki | Feb 1, 2008 | Reply
Here is another reason I think the US will beat Germany. When Lindsay has played for the US fed team they have won 16 of 19 ties and Lindsay hasn’t lost a fed cup match since 1994.