Surprises galore in Slovakia-Australia drawBy John Bonney
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA: Both captains sprung surprises at Friday’s draw for Slovakia’s Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group II first round tie at home to Australia as the opening tactical salvos of the contest began before a ball was even struck.
Visiting captain Alicia Molik selected Russian-born world number 275 Arina Rodionova for Friday’s opening singles rubber in what will be the 26-year-old’s Fed Cup debut for her adopted country.
Rodionova, who learned she will be playing the previous night and described it as a “very special moment” will face Slovakia’s top-ranked player Anna Karolina Schmiedlova first up on Saturday in the 3,000-capacity National Tennis Centre.
Australia’s former US Open champion Sam Stosur then takes on Jana Cepelova in the second rubber.
Cepelova, ranked 132 in singles, was a curious selection for Slovakia’s captain Matej Liptak who preferred her to either of the experienced duo of Dominika Cibulkova or Daniela Hantuchova.
The clue to his strategy is the threat of Stosur who holds a combined 12-1 record against those two.
“Normally when I have the names Cibulkova and Hantuchova in my nominations I always use them because they are leaders of the team,” Liptak, whose side have lost four of their last five ties, said.
“But as soon as I knew we were playing Australia I knew some of my players are not happy playing against Stosur, and some like it more. She is the best player in the tie and Australia are favourites for the three matches she will play, so we need to win one of them.”Recently married Rodionova, younger sister of Anastasia who she partnered to the Australian Open doubles quarterfinals this year, was an even bigger surprise, although Molik’s options have been reduced by the unavailability of Jarmila Wolfe (nee Gajdosova) through injury and Russian-born Daria Gavrilova who is still not eligible to play Fed Cup for Australia.
Much will depend on Stosur as seven-times champions Australia try and ward off a fourth consecutive Fed Cup defeat, but Molik has every confidence in Rodionova.
“For me Fed Cup is about form and Arina has clearly displayed great form here in singles here on this surface in Slovakia, so it’s pretty natural and normal,” said Molik, who has also nominated experienced doubles specialist Casey Dellacqua and teenager Kimberly Birrell in her team.
“You have to play the players who are feeling good and carrying confidence.”Stosur was unable to play in Australia’s defeat by the Netherlands in a World Group play-off last April, a gut-wrenching loss for Molik, who says this tie is about redemption.
“This is critical for us,” she said.
“We’ve spent so many years in the top eight nations and that’s where we deserve to be. We need to show we belong there again.”Slovakia, champions in 2002, are also trying to get back among the elite after relegation in 2014 and then losing in the World Group II first round last year to the Netherlands before thumping Sweden in a relegation play-off, also in Bratislava.
To do that one of Liptak’s players will probably need to beat Stosur and in Cepelova they have a player with a 1-1 record against her – a healthy tally compared to her team mates.
Cepelova won their first encounter in Doha in 2014 although Stosur edged a three-setter recently in Brisbane, both matches played on hard courts.
“She is a great server and strong forehand but I know her game because I played her twice in two tough matches and I’ll prepare as much as I can,” the 22-year-old, who has a 2-2 Fed Cup singles record, said.
Sunday’s reverse singles will see Stosur up against Schmiedlova and Cepelova take on Rodionova although there could be further tinkering.
The full draw is listed below:
Saturday
R1 Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK) v Arina Rodionova (AUS)
R2 Jana Cepelova (SVK) v Samantha Stosur (AUS)
Sunday
R3 Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK) v Samantha Stosur (AUS)
R4 Jana Cepelova (SVK) v Arina Rodionova (AUS)
R5 Jana Cepelova/Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) v Casey Dellacqua/Samantha Stosur (AUS)
Priority will be given ČepelováSlovak tennis Anna Carolina Schmiedlová unit and two Australian Arina Rodionova arrival on Saturday at 14.00 in Aegon Arena against each other in the opening singles match 1st round II. Federation Cup World Group. In a second single on a hard surface DecoColor they compete against two Slovak Jana Cepelova and Australian Samantha Stosur unit. Friday's ruling on the lot.
Sunday's program opened at 13.00 duel of team units Schmiedlová and Stosur, should then be present with Čepelová Rodionova. The final doubles nominated Slovak captain Matej Liptak pair Daniela Hantuchova, Čepelová, Australian captain Alicia Molik provisionally reported tandem Stosur, Casey Dellacqua. Liptak put in place dvojhier Ranking number two Slovak Dominika Cibulkova Cepelova, which is the only balanced account with Stosur (1: 1). The main referees will be a Romanian Michaela Testibanová, in the role of arbitrators shall empajrových featuring American Jake Garner and Paul Vieira Soušová Brazilian woman. Play with balls Dunlop Fort All Court.
In Fed Cup history will be a second mutual duel of the two countries in April 1995 on the grass in Perth won the domestic Australian girl 3: 2nd Slovaks last year in round 1 II. World Group lost in Apeldoorn with domestic Dutchwoman 1: 4th The promotion round to participate in the second eight ball then beat the NTC Sweden 4 0. Schmiedlová the council that starts on Saturday, as another nomination Rodionova singlistky her by surprise. ,
" None of us expected it will play. I do not know it, but I believe I can do it and get the first point for Slovakia. For training me it went well and I am delighted that the captain gave me confidence, " said Milan coach Zverenky Martinca. Čepelová learned of his Saturday's launch on Thursday.
" S eider we Kosice duo, we are good friends. We got the chance to captain and will we want to use. I think it does not matter whether I play first or second. the game I am looking forward. in January I with Stosur has lost in three sets at the tournament in Brisbane. Now I will with the help of viewers seek revenge. I heard I have to be sold out. I think it will be a good atmosphere. " Slovak captain Liptak from the beginning of the week was clear that the opening day figure Cepelova.
"Janka Stosur has the best balance, in addition to the workouts he showed in a very good light. Play Australian units it sits over the next three to our toy and I believe that it is confirmed in Saturday's duel. Regarding the nomination Schmiedlová, it is our unit last season and achieved excellent results in the fedcucpových meetings with the Netherlands and Sweden has switched off to good performance. Perhaps it is to our advantage to start. If he wins, Janko will be taken up more easily. I do not exclude that I change the nomination for Sunday's singles and build Dominika Cibulkova. In doubles while counting with Janka and Daniela Hantuchova. " Stosur surprisingly, Liptak against it stand the blade.
" Hansel we played two difficult matches trojsetové and on Saturdays, it will be difficult duel. So I Slovenke positive balance and I would like it extended, but Fed Cup is something completely different than tournaments WTA and Grand slams. Personally I do not care whether the onset of the first or second, " said the US Open champion from 2011.
@ google translate
Program drew Fed Cup duel Slovakia - AustraliaAutor: SITA, dnes 13:01
Clash Slovakia - Australia opened Carolina Schmiedlová and Arina Rodionova, after which the Aegon Arena NTC introduce Jana Cepelova and Samantha Stosur.
BRATISLAVA February 5 (WebNoviny.sk) - Carolina Schmiedlová and Arina Rodionova opened on Saturday at 14.00 weekend meeting in Bratislava Slovakia - Australia in round 1 II. World Group Fed Cup 2016 tennis representative teams of women. "I think it would be cool. When you make a good, will it be countered. For training I'm sure it and I am pleased that my captain showed confidence. In preparation we all behaved well, certainly when deciding not easy. I am quite glad that on Saturday I will play first. I'll do everything I can to contribute to our success. Herne and physically I feel good and this surface suits me. " Schmiedlová noted. Following them on a hard surface DecoColor under cloudy roof Aegon arena NTC introduce Jana Cepelova and Samantha Stosur.
"Whether it's a succession of waves? we'll see ... we have to eider Kosice duo and I'm in. we got a chance we want to use it. the recipe for Stosur you keep to yourself, perhaps will be on the court pay. certainly, it is a good atmosphere, we look forward to the match, " declared Čepelová that Australian troops defeated two years ago in Doha, 6: 4, 4: 6, 6: 1 and 4 January the floors in Brisbane just 4: 6, 6: 3, 6: 4, and in the third set lead hopefully 3: 0th
Lipták surprise nomination Rodionova
Sunday from 13.00 will play the first Schmiedlová with Stosur and then Čepelová against Rodionova. The final doubles nominate captains Matej Liptak and Alicia Molik pair Jana Cepelova, Daniela Hantuchova, respectively. Casey Dellacqua, Samantha Stosur.
"Janko played in trainings well and I think he has a style that would Stosur could pay most of our foursome. Since the beginning of training, I should make clear that it will build if it is healthy and goes her, which it did. Stosur play it harms certainly less like Dominica, I did not see no reason to change the original intent. I always say that it is irrelevant ranked matches, but gained three points. Now, however, admit that if it begins to evolve according to the paper assumptions our lead 1: 0 by for Janka could be some advantages because it would put Stosur under more pressure, " said Matej Liptak.
" Truthfully, nominated Rodionova has a little surprised because I rather expected to build the his second lefty Sanders. About know why they did this. we facilitate a situation not involving sparring - left-hander. regardless of the name of the Australian singlový twos but quality must certify to the court, to proceed responsibly as well as with other versions that merit consideration. Aug can shuffle the cards. On debla I have a vision and I reported it as follows with respect to the typology of our player wore the likely súperiek, but there remains can change according to the current situation - forms, the degree of fatigue, the previous matches, " noted Chief of Staff implementation of Slovakia. Slovakia is the 13th ranked renkingu ITF winner will be April 16 to 17 to fight for the elite eight year of 2017 conquering at the same time will play their remaining in the second. world group. the main referees will be a Romanian Michaela Testibanová, empajrovými American Jake Garner and Paul Vieirová-Brazilian woman Soušová. Tickets on Saturday and Sunday costs € 15 equally, there are networks and ticketportal.sk predpredaj.sk and the reception NTC. home advantage for Slovaks resulted from the rule of reciprocity. the Australian girl played in the past time: 22 to 23 April 1,995 on the grass at the Royal King's Park in Perth-mentioned lost in the second. world group of just 2: 3rd Strojkyňou triumph was home to 2.5 points Nicole Bradtkeová, to which in doubles stood Rennae Stubbs. For Hošťka - led by Lubomir Kurhajcom - Karina Habšudová and Radka Zrubáková defeated Rachel McQuillanovú. An underlying curiosity is the fact that Australia and the Slovak Republic in the previous season consistently lost 1: 4 with the Netherlands on its soil. Slovaks in February, just in round 1 II. World Group on clay in Apeldoorn in April and the Australian girl in the playoff elite of the slowest substrate in Hertogenbosch. By SR was maintained in "II. League" through April's triumph in Bratislava 4: 0 over the witness. The holder of the Fed Cup 2002 Slovakia it ranks 13th in the rankings ranked ITF, Australia is the ninth position. Australian girl is still celebrating the overall win 7 times, namely in 1964, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1973 and 1974 and second means in historical order.
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