Fed Cup Semifinals and Playoffs

It is week 2 of the Fed Cup this weekend and the last bit of Fed Cup action for the year except for the final and some lower zonal group competition.  The World Group I semifinals and the playoff ties for both world groups will be contested.

World Group I Semifinals
Italy at Russia:  This was going to be quite the showdown but then strangely the always loyal Italians had both Schiavone and Pennetta pull out albeit Pennetta's was due to an injury.  Russia is running out Zvonareva, Kuznetsova, and Pavlyuchenkova at home so this shouldn't be close.  I'll give Italy one match because at some point the Russians are going to have a lapse of concentration.
RUS 3 ITA 1

Czech Republic at Belgium:  Again, we have an anticlimax due to a top player's withdrawal, this time Clijsters due to injury.  But Kvitova is not in form at the moment and Safarova is always streaky.  Wickmayer is playing well and is at home, and Belgium has the reigning AO girls champion in Mestach (it will be interesting if she gets any action).  I'm going to say that somehow the Belgians find an upset but then Czech's experienced doubles team will clinch the tie.
CZE 3 BEL 2

World Group I Playoffs
The winners here remain in the World Group I and can compete for the Fed Cup championship next year, while the losers will be in the second-tier World Group II round.

United States at Germany:  It is a pity that Venus was unable to participate here, it sounds like she was actually going to if not for the injury.  This could end up being interesting especially being played on a clay which is probably not the best surface for many of the players.  Petkovic and Goerges against Mattek-Sands and Oudin, but the Americans have a dark horse in McHale.  The Germans are the favorites here on paper with Petkovic and maybe I'm biased but I think the Americans have a fighting chance.  That said, I'm going with Germany and it will have to be in 4 because the USA has Huber waiting for the doubles.
GER 3 USA 1

France at Spain:  Could both countries that have never been out of World Group I both lose (FRA and USA)?  It's possible.  The two surprise Premier winners on clay are here (Rezai and Martinez Sanchez) and both have adequate second players in Cornet and either Dominguez Lino or Medina Garrigues.  Spain is at home, has a good doubles team, and Rezai has been playing awful.
ESP 3 FRA 2

Serbia at Slovakia:  This is one of the few ties where both countries have their top players is another good difficult one to call.  Jankovic and Ivanovic against Cibulkova and Hantuchova.  JJ is in good form at the moment which I think puts Serbia over the top with the other players all playing decent.  But I will say they force a doubles where the Serbs run out Jankovic/Jovanovski for victory.
SRB 3 SVK 2

Ukraine at Australia:  Finally a easy one to pick.  The Aussies are without Stosur but Ukraine is without the Bondarenkos so this shouldn't be close.  Ukraine won't have a player ranked in the top 100, and Australia is at home.
AUS 3 UKR 0

World Group II Playoffs
The winners here will be in World Group II next and then try and gets promoted to World Group I next year while the losers will be relegated back Zonal Group competition and its round robin format.

Estonia at Belarus:  Here's a reason to like Fed Cup.  Players from small countries get a chance to play in front of the home crowd.  World #5 Azarenka said she had never played a match at home and doesn't even know what it feels like.  Belarus should be able to win the tie since Govortsova is much better than Maret Ani.  But the Azarenka/Kanepi match will be big.
BLR 3 EST 1

Canada at Slovenia:  Here are two teams with solid #1 players in Marino and Hercog but then you don't know what to expect.  The Slovenes do have an ace in the hole with Srebotnik if it gets to the doubles and I am going to say it will though I'll put a disclaimer and say won't be surprised if Marino gets in done and Canada wins in 4.
SLO 3 CAN 2

Sweden at Switzerland:  Yet another closely contested tie perhaps.  Schnyder and Bacsinszky vs Larsson and Arvidsson.  I'm going to give it the Swiss, being at home and on clay, but another difficult one to call.
SUI 3 SWE 1

Argentina at Japan:  Postponed until July due to the earthquake.  The tie will likely hinge on whether Dulko participates for the Argentines.

Looks like another exciting weekend is in store after we had three ties (of 8) go the distance in the world groups in February.  I've predicted that four ties (of 10) go the distance so we'll see what happens.


In the something like an anticlimax, the Davis Cup has one zone competing in round robin play that began today in Dhaka, Bangladesh:  Asia/Oceania Zonal Group IV, the lowest level of Davis Cup competition.

Pool A:  Bahrain, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar
Pool B:  Bangladesh, Iraq, Singapore, Turkmenistan

Teams of note include Bangladesh, the home team, which was relegated from Group III last year, and Jordan and Singapore, who were on the losing end of the group finals last year.  The top 2 teams in each pool make the group finals, where the 2 winners are promoted to Group III.