Russia, Czech Republic, Italy and the United States emerged victorious this weekend after the opening round of the 2009 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas competition.
The four nations will compete next in the semifinals on April 25-26. Italy will host Russia at home while the United States will travel to Czech Republic.
The four losing nations in the World Group first round – China, P.R., France, Spain and Argentina, go into the World Group Play-offs during the same weekend with the four nations who won their World Group II ties – Slovak Republic, Serbia, Ukraine and Germany.
Australia, Estonia, Poland and Canada were the four successful nations from the Zonal Group I events held this week and advance to the World Group II Play-offs, also on April 25-26 with the four losing nations from this weekend’s World Group II ties – Japan, Belgium, Israel and Switzerland.
Fed Cup by BNP Paribas is the largest annual international team competition in women’s sport, with 88 nations entered in 2009.
