Australia to face Ukraine in Fed Cup
Australia to face Ukraine in Fed Cup
The Australian Fed Cup team has once again drawn Ukraine for the Fed Cup World Group Play-off tie in April.
Australia defeated the Ukraine team in April 2010 in Kharkiv, so will have the home court advantage in 2011, hosting the World Group Play-off tie on 16 and 17 April.
The venue and surface for the home tie will be announced in coming weeks.
A win at the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Play-off tie would ensure Australia’s return to the elite World Group for 2012.
Australian Fed Cup Captain David Taylor said the team is looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s a privilege to be a part of the Australian team at the moment,” Taylor said.
“We have a really strong group of players in Australia at the moment who can mix it with the best.
“This was proved last week in Hobart against the current world champions, Italy, where the tie could have gone either way with four out of five matches contested over three tight sets.
“We have a great culture, have achieved some good results and I know the girls will be keen to win and prove they belong back in the World Group.
“With Rennae’s [Stubbs} retirement there will also be an opportunity for someone to step up in April and be the fourth team member, someone who can really add some value to the team.
“I would love for one of the girls who are just sitting outside of the top 100 to really step up and earn this spot.
“That’s what I’m looking for as captain – for another player to really make a statement to say that ‘I want to be part of this team by having good results’.
“The Ukrainian team will provide us with some strong competition particularly if the Bondarenko sisters play.
“Both are former top 30 players and Kateryna won all three of her matches in Helsingborg to give the Ukraine a 3-2 win over Sweden last weekend in their World Group II tie.”
Australia currently has three players in the top 100, Samantha Stosur (No.5), Jamila Groth (No.31) and Anastasia Rodionova (No.64).
Jelena Dokic and Alicia Molik are ranked just outside the top 100, and Casey Dellacqua has recently returned from injury.
Ukraine and Australia are tied 1-1 in the head to heads after Australia won 5-0 in Kharkiv, Ukraine, last year to progress to the World Group.
Australia lost 4-1to Ukraine at the Gold Coast in 2007 in the World Group II play-off tie, relegating Australia to the Asia/Oceania zone group I.
Last week the Australian team lost to current world champions Italy 1-4 in Hobart. This was the first time the Australian team has been in the World Group since 2004.
Other nations competing in the World Group Play-off tie are Germany vs USA , Spain vs France and Serbia vs Slovak Republic.
In the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas semifinals Italy will meet Russia in Russia and Belgium will host the Czech Republic.
Topics: Samantha Stosur
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