After the first day of semifinal Fed Cup play against defending champions Italy, favorite Russia is leading 2-0. Vera Zvonareva cruised to a 6-0 6-2 victory over Sara Errani, while Svetlana Kuznetsova worked much harder to earn her point for Russia, defeating Roberta Vinci 6-2 6-7(4) 6-1. Italian team, short of Francesca Schiavone and Flavia Pennetta, now face a difficult task to reach the final of a tournament they have won two years in a row.
The other Fed Cup semifinal, played between the Czech Republic and Belgium, is tied at 1-1 after Saturday’s play. World No.18 Petra Kvitova avoided an upset and overcame Kirsten Flipken’s stern challenge to win 6-2 7-6(4). The 23rd-ranked Yanina Wickmayer, the strongest player in the Belgian team with Kim Clijsters missing, won a closely-fought encounter with Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-4 6-4.
Other Saturday’s scores:
World Group Play-offs
Germany-USA 2:0
Spain-France 1:1
Slovakia-Serbia 1:1
Australia-Ukraine 1:1
World Group II Play-offs
Belarus-Estonia 2:0
Slovenia-Canada 1:1
Switzerland-Sweden 2:0
(photo: © Neal Trousdale)
Was especially interested in watching the Slovak-Serbia matchup, one reason was to see if Ivanovic had mentally/emotionally recovered from her “choker” match in Miami. Ana looked well enough as she went about her business in toppling Hantuchova 62 64.
Another reason to tune in was to see how Cibulkova was doing. The smallster also won her match. How is it possible that this young lady has beated several top stars including Caro and Kuznetsova BUT has never won a single WTA title? Will she ever win a title? Dominika shows up in nearly every draw and most times goes deep enough to make the media coverage. So she’s consistent, stays relatively healthy and fit. C’mon Cibby, you can do it.
I saw Cibulkova playing, she was amazing. Which why the overall result is so sad for the Slovak team. I am sure that if she played the doubles Slovakia could have won 🙁 . Shame, great shame.
I also wonder when she will go all the way. She has the potential to win big events, she fights like a little tiger 🙂
Ana played really well against both, actually. I think she has a good chance at RG although Miss Sunshine will something to say about that… 😀