United States v. Belarus – Fed Cup by BNP Paribas 2012, World Group II First Round

Written by: Staff on 4th February 2012

United States v. Belarus - Fed Cup by BNP Paribas 2012, World Group II First Round

USA pairs Liezel Huber of USA returns the ball against Ayumi Morita and Rika Fuziwara of Japan during the doubles quarterfinals of the Toray Pan Pacific tennis tournament in Tokyo, Japan, 27 September 2011. EPA/TOMOYUKI KAYA |

DCU Center

Worcester, Mass. * February 4-5, 2012

PREVIEW NOTES – DAY ONE

The United States will look to take its first step in regaining its Fed Cup World Group status for 2013 when it faces Belarus at the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group II First Round. Play begins Saturday, February 4, at 1:00 p.m. ET on an indoor hard court at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. This is the first-ever meeting between these two nations in Fed Cup.

The U.S. team includes both Serena Williams and Venus Williams. They are joined by American teenager Christina McHale, who is currently ranked a career-high No. 38 and is the No. 2-ranked American behind Serena Williams, and world No. 1 doubles player Liezel Huber. Sloane Stephens, the daughter of the late New England Patriots running back John Stephens, is serving as the fifth member of the team.

The Belarusian team features new world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, who defeated Maria Sharapova in the 2012 Australian Open final to claim her first Grand Slam title. Tatiana Poutchek is serving as captain for the team.

ORDER OF PLAY

The opening day of play in the best-of-five match series features each country’s No. 1 singles player against the No. 2 player from the opposing country. The exact order of play (which country’s No. 1 plays first) was determined at the Official Draw Ceremony on Friday, February 3, in Worcester. The second day of competition begins on Sunday with the “reverse singles,” starting with each country’s No. 1 player squaring off followed by the No. 2 players and then the doubles match. Each match is best-of-three-sets.

DAY/TIME MATCH PAIRING

Saturday, 1:00 p.m. ET Singles A: Christina McHale (USA) vs.Victoria Azarenka (BLR)

Singles B: Serena Williams (USA) vs. Olga Govortsova (BLR)

Sunday, 12:00 p.m. ET Singles C: Serena Williams (USA) vs. Victoria Azarenka (BLR)

Singles D: Christina McHale (USA) vs. Olga Govortsova (BLR)

Doubles: Venus Williams/Liezel Huber (USA)

vs. Victoria Azarenka/Olga Govortsova (BLR)

DOMESTIC TELEVISION SCHEDULE

Tennis Channel will present daily coverage beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET on Saturday and 12:00 p.m. ET on Sunday.