Fed Cup: Italy look to Czech-mate the defending champions

With the thrilling action at the Davis Cup getting over around ten days back, it’s time for the women to fulfill their national duties. Playing for your country evokes a different and a deep emotion. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic’s enormous effort at Boise despite an ankle twist gives a glimpse of what paramount importance the team competitions can be. Similarly, the atmosphere at a Fed Cup match is also always booming, full of boisterous fans and players striving to give their all.

The weight of any Fed Cup tie depends on the number of top players involved in the clash and the stars are pivotal for securing the fortunes of a team. Also, Olympic eligibility being intricately linked with Fed Cup participation, the upcoming Fed Cup weekend will witness a bevy of stars.

Action kicks off on April 20th and the semi-finals of the Fed Cup, celebrating its 50th birthday this year, are headlined by four teams, each of which has lifted the Fed Cup. Seven-time champions Czech Republic will lock horns with three-time winners Italy while the other semi-final will feature four-time winners Russia up against one-time winner Slovak Republic. Also, two of the world’s top 10 players will be participating in the same tie – Petra Kvitova and Sara Errani which brings the prospect of a riveting Fed Cup weekend ahead.

Italy v Czech Republic

Venue: Circolo del Tennis Palermo, Palermo, ItalySurface: Clay (outdoors)

Teams: Italy: Sara Errani, Roberta Vinci, Francesca Schiavone, Flavia Pennetta. Captain: Corrado Barazzutti

Czech Republic: Petra Kvitova, Klara Zakopalova, Lucie Safarova, Lucie Hradecka. Captain: Petr Pala

Head-to-head: Italy 4-4 Czech Republic

This is a heavyweight tie. Two top 10 players in singles as well as the world’s numero uno doubles team are involved in this clash – quite a rarity these days. Apart from this, there is an astonishing number of six Grand Slam champions out of which Italy can boast of all four. The last time they met was in the semi-finals last year when the twice defending champions had demolished Italy 4-1. But that was played on hardcourts and the No. 1 Fed Cup team had the whole nation cheering for their victory.

Even though Italy is putting in that very same team, circumstances are different this time. This is an away tie for the Czech. Going by their claycourt reputation, Italy, the last team to beat the Czech, on outdoor clay comprising of Sara Errani, Roberta Vinci, Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone can be a lethal combination.

Both teams are enjoying a resurgent period in women’s tennis and so this clash might be a very closely fought contest. Defending champions Czech Republic have three top 25 singles players and have made one notable change in this tie, with Klara Zakopalova taking the place of Andrea Hlavackova. The team is anchored by 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, who has won 13 of her last 14 singles rubbers but is yet to find her feet on clay this year. Being outclassed by veteran Roberta Vinci in the Katowice final just last weekend, Italy look to head into the tie brimming with confidence.

Kvitova is supported by Lucie Safarova, who had an incredible time during the finals last year, winning both her singles rubbers. But the World No. 25, who is a hardcourt specialist, might have a harder time putting off claycourt experts like Schiavone and Errani. Even though she has winning records against each of them, Errani has come a long way since their last meeting in 2009.

Italy look much sharper in the doubles department as well. Boasting of a team which has captured three of the last four Grand Slam titles, no doubt they will look to be the favourites. Especially when Italy has Roberta Vinci’s staggering record of 18 doubles victories without a defeat, the team will be heavily banking upon the Taranto native to deliver the goods and make the first final since 2010.

Prediction: Italy beat Czech Republic 3-2

Russia v Slovak RepublicVenue: Sports Centre Krylatskoye, Moscow, RussiaSurface: Clay (indoors)

Teams:Russia: Maria Kirilenko, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Ekaterina Makarova, Elena Vesnina, Captain: Shamil Tarpischev

Slovak Republic: Dominika Cibulkova, Magdalena Rybarikova, Daniela Hantuchova, Jana Cepelova. Captain: Matej Liptak

Head-to-head: Russia 2-0 Slovak Republic

Slovak Republic head into this away tie labeled as the underdogs after having been beaten by Russia on clay on both the previous occasions. But having reached the elite World Group semi-finals after 11 years, the re-invigorated Slovak team will be looking to continue their winning streak and tumble the four-time champions Russia in their own backyard.

The semi-finals may have come after a long gap but it is to be noted that they won their only Fed Cup the last time they reached the semi-finals, in 2002. Plus the team has shown amazing resilience and indomitable spirit in their last tie against Serbia in February. Their No. 1 ranked player Dominika Cibulkova who was coasting to an easy victory over Vesna Dolonc had to retire and concede the rubber. Jana Cepelova had to step into the shoes of Cibulkova and delivered a splendid win which vindicated Matej Liptak’s faith in his reserve.

But their biggest pride should be Daniela Hantuchova, who will be appearing in her 27th tie in Slovak colours. A stalwart, who recently claimed her second Fed Cup Heart award for outstanding commitment, notched up her 28th and 29th singles victories for her country against Serbia to take them through to the World Group semi-finals. Slovak Republic would again look to heavily depend on this svelte blonde with a Career Grand Slam in Mixed Doubles, who made her Fed Cup debut in Moscow.

But the key to this tie could be the return of Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Hantuchova who enjoys a winning head-to-head over Maria Kirilenko has a hapless 1-5 record against Pavlyuchenkova. The 21-year-old who has reigned supreme in Monterrey recently and is now under the tutelage of Martina Hingis would look to bring all the good work to the court.

What will work in the home team’s favour also is the formidable doubles team of Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina. The team has already clinched the Indian Wells title this year and will be looking to ride on the momentum to take their team to the first final since 2011.

Prediction: Russia beat Slovak Republic 3-2