Azarenka, Kvitova, and Sharapova all heading to the Fed Cup

Written by: Staff on 30th January 2012

Azarenka, Kvitova, and Sharapova all heading to the Fed Cup

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic reacts after winning a vital point against Ana Ivanovic of Serbia in their fourth round match at the Rod Laver Arena, at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 23 January 2012. EPA/JOE CASTRO |

(Curtesy of the ITF – original at itftennis.com)

The 2012 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas season gets underway this week with eight World Group nations beginning their bid to lift the trophy. The action also starts in World Group II and four Zone Groups.

Czech Republic open their title defence with a tricky away tie against Germany in Stuttgart. The hosts are missing their top player Andrea Petkovic, but such is the current strength in depth of German women’s tennis that captain Barbara Rittner still has three Top 30 players to call on, led by the in-form Sabine Lisicki. The important team news for the Czechs is that reigning Wimbledon champion and world No. 2 Petra Kvitova is fit and ready.

Russia, last year’s runners-up, start their campaign against Spain in Moscow. The world No. 3, Maria Sharapova, fresh from reaching the Australian Open final at the weekend, leads a strong Russian team into battle alongside Svetlana Kuznetsova. Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario begins her reign as Spanish captain without the services of Anabel Medina Garrigues, which puts added pressure on the shoulders of Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.

Belgium and Serbia go head-to-head in Charleroi. Kim Clijsters is missing for the Belgians so the responsibility falls on the experienced duo of Yanina Wickmayer and Kirsten Flipkens to spearhead the home team’s challenge. Jelena Jankovic fronts Serbia’s bid to win their first ever World Group tie and, with Ana Ivanovic a notable absentee for the visitors, Bojana Jovanovski is expected to step up into the singles line-up.

Italy, three-time Fed Cup champions in recent years, have made a statement of intent by naming a full strength team to face Ukraine in Biella. Francesca Schiavone, a former Roland Garros winner, and Flavia Pennetta are the two top ranked players for the hosts, but the form of Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci on the singles court provide more options if required. Kateryna Bondarenko, who at No. 88 is Ukraine’s only Top 100 player, will need to be at the top of her game if the visitors are to have a chance of an upset.

The World Group II first round has also thrown up some intriguing ties, including USA against Belarus in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Williams sisters make their return to Fed Cup for USA, while Victoria Azarenka, who became world No. 1 today after winning her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, is playing for Belarus.

Full coverage is available on the official Fed Cup by BNP Paribas website, including features, reports, photos, interviews, highlights, and live scores and streaming. For more information visit: FedCup.com and FedCup.com/es.

World Group first round, 4-5 Feb Russia v Spain – Moscow, RUS Belgium v Serbia – Charleroi, BEL Italy v Ukraine – Biella, ITA

Germany v Czech Republic – Stuttgart, GER

Zone Group events, 30 Jan – 4 Feb

Europe/Africa Zone Group I – Eilat, ISR

Americas Zone Group I – Curitiba, BRA

Asia/Oceania Zone Group I and Group II – Shenzhen, CHN

World Group II first round, 4-5 Feb USA v Belarus – Worcester, MA, USA Japan v Slovenia – Hyogo, JPN

Slovak Republic v France – Bratislava, SVK Switzerland v Australia – Fribourg, SUI

Topics: Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova, Victoria Azarenka