SERENA AND VENUS WILLIAMS BOTH WIN THEIR MATCHES @ THE FED CUP TENNIS: THE U.S. LEADS ARGENTINA, 2-0 IN BUENOS AIRES

United States vs. Argentina

Fed Cup by BNP Paribas

2015 World Group II First Round

 

Pilara Tennis Club

Buenos Aires, Argentina * February 7-8

 

 

SUMMARY OF DAY ONE — VENUS AND SERENA LEAD THE WAY

 

The United States took a commanding 2-0 lead over Argentina in the World Group II First Round in Buenos Aires after Serena Williams and Venus Williams both won their matches on Saturday in straight sets.

 

Venus, who is ranked No. 11 in the world, defeated No. 121 Paula Ormaechea, 6-3, 6-2, in one hour and 20 minutes, followed by world No. 1 Serena, who won her match, 7-5, 6-0, over world No. 197 Maria Irigoyen. Serena won the second set in just 19 minutes.

 

Serena remains undefeated in Fed Cup, holding an 11-0 record in singles play (all live rubbers). Venus is now 16-2 in Fed Cup singles matches. Serena and Venus last played in Fed Cup in the 2012 World Group Playoff in Delray Beach, Fla., against Sweden.

 

The United States leads all nations with 17 Fed Cup titles, the last coming in 2000, and holds an overall 143-35 record. The U.S. is 8-11 in away ties since the World Group format was in instituted in 1995. It leads all nations with 17 Fed Cup titles, the last coming in 2000. Fed Cup by BNP Paribas is the World Cup of Tennis. It is the largest annual international team competition in women’s sport, with 99 nations taking part in 2015.

 

U.S. LEADS ARGENTINA, 2-0

 

DAY/LOCAL TIME     MATCH     PAIRING

Saturday, 11:00 a.m. Singles A: Venus Williams (USA) def. Paula Ormaechea (ARG), 6-3, 6-2

Singles B: Serena Williams (USA) def. Maria Irigoyen (ARG), 7-5, 6-0

Sunday, 11:00 a.m. Singles C: Serena Williams (USA) vs. Paula Ormaechea (ARG

Singles D: Venus Williams (USA) vs. Maria Irigoyen (ARG)

Doubles: Coco Vandeweghe/Taylor Townsend (USA)

vs. Tatiana Bua/Nadia Podoroska (ARG)

 

 

THEY SAID IT…

 

SERENA WILLIAMS

 

On today’s match…

It was two completely different sets. I was trying to find my rhythm. The ball bounced differently than in practice and my feet didn’t move as well in the beginning. The balls hit with more spin today and I needed to get used to that. It is also more humid here. The conditions were hot and the court got a few bad bounces. I was able to find my way there at the end and win.

 

On the crowd…

It was a great atmosphere. Very intimate. I expect the fans to root for Argentina, but it was packed and really nice that so many people came out to support Fed Cup, to support women’s tennis, and to support everyone on the court.

 

VENUS WILLIAMS

 

On Paula Ormaechea and today’s match…

There were a lot of deuce games and Paula really competed well. She started coming back at 5-0 in the second set, so I had to find a way to put it away. I never thought she was going to give up. It was a good thing for our team to get that first point.

 

On finding her rhythm in the beginning of the match after a series of breaks…

There were a couple of breaks in the beginning, but there were interesting circumstances to this match—you are playing for your country and it was my first time on clay. I was just trying to find my rhythm. Once I got broke, I was only thinking about breaking back and holding. By the fifth game, I felt good and it helped me a lot through the rest of the match.

 

On playing Fed Cup after the Australian Open…

Melbourne was actually a bit cold, so everything changed here in Argentina—it was hot. It is also a different time zone and we were playing a clay court. However, I woke up today and felt good, so I am really happy to conquer these conditions.

 

On playing in a “football-like” atmosphere during Fed Cup…

Yeah, these smaller stadiums and fans don’t happen too often. It was an awesome atmosphere. The crowd is really supportive of Argentina, but still respective of us. It was fun to play for them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAPTAIN MARY JOE FERNANDEZ

 

On being favorites in this tie…

On paper, yes, we look like favorites, but you have to go out there and play. There is a lot to deal with. You are playing away on a different surface and coming back from Australia. It was also really hot out there. The Argentina players know how to play on this court and they had the crowd behind them. We knew it would be tough and I am proud of Venus and Serena for stepping up. The first set for the both of them was really important and close. They then got more confident and got used to the bounce of the ball.

 

On coaching Venus and Serena Williams as Fed Cup Captain…

Every player is different. That is the fun and challenging part of being a Fed Cup captain. You have to learn who to talk to, when it is the right time, and what to say. With Venus and Serena, they know what is happening out there. But, my job is to encourage them and keep them fighting.

 

On Sunday’s matches…

It is back to work tomorrow. Hopefully, we can win the first match to get that clinching point. We should be more used to the conditions tomorrow and know what is coming. However, it is another day—you need to tie your shoelaces and get out there. Nothing is given to you, but we are ready to compete.

 

 

DAY TWO PREVIEW NOTES

 

The final day of the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group II First Round between the United States and Argentina will take place on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. local time on an outdoor red clay court at the Pilara Tennis Club in Buenos Aires.

 

Two singles matches and a doubles match are on the schedule for Sunday. An ITF dead rubber policy has been in place at all Fed Cup ties since 2013. If a tie is decided after the third singles rubber, the fourth singles will not be played, and the dead doubles rubber will be played instead. If the fourth singles decides the tie, the dead doubles rubber will still be played. All dead doubles rubbers will be two regular sets plus a match tiebreak.

 

On Sunday, world No. 1 Serena Williams will face Argentina’s No. 1 player Paula Ormaechea in the third singles rubber. Serena and Ormaechea have never played each other. The fourth singles rubber will be a matchup between the No. 2 singles players—Venus Williams and Maria Irigoyen. Venus and Irigoyen have also never met on the WTA Tour.

 

The doubles rubber will follow the singles matches, where Coco Vandeweghe and Taylor Townsend are scheduled to face Nadia Podoroska and Tatiana Bua. Vandeweghe and Townsend have played doubles together one time at the WTA event in Memphis in 2013. Neither player has played doubles in Fed Cup competition. Podoroska and Bua have never played doubles together. Podoroska made her Fed Cup debut last year by competing in the dead doubles rubber in the World Group Playoff against Russia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The United States is 19-0 when leading 2-0 in a Fed Cup tie (since the World Group format was instituted in 1995). Should the U.S. win on Sunday, it will advance to the World Group Playoff, held April 18-19, to compete for a spot in the 2016 World Group. The draw for the World Group Playoff will be made on Tuesday, February 10, in London.

 

 

DOMESTIC TELEVISION SCHEDULE

 

Tennis Channel will present live coverage on Sunday, starting at 9:00 a.m. ET.

 

 

FED CUP FIRST ROUND UPDATE

 

WORLD GROUP FIRST ROUND                                    WORLD GROUP II FIRST ROUND

Czech Republic leads Canada, 2-0                                  United States leads Argentina, 2-0

Italy leads France, 2-0                                                    Switzerland leads Sweden, 2-0

Russia leads Poland, 2-0                                                Spain is tied with Romania, 1-1

Germany is tied with Australia, 1-1                                  Netherlands is tied with Slovakia, 1-1

 

Topics: Fed Cup, Maria Irigoyen, Serena Williams, Tennis, USA, Venus Williams

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