Fed Cup Final

While the men are playing away in the waning weeks of their season, the Fed Cup final will be held for the women in Moscow as mighty Russia meats the Czech Republic.  The Czechs have the tie's highest ranked player in the red hot Petra Kvitova (world no. 2) but Russia has greater depth.  The draw hasn't taken place yet but I imagine Zvonareva and Kuznetsova will go for Russia against Kvitova and Safarova.  It's hard to see either Russian knocking off Kvitova but both (or even Pavlyuchenkova if she gets the call) should be capable of beating Safarova especially with the home crowd behind them.  That means the Fed Cup trophy could come down to the doubles.  The Czech's were a little curious with their selections (if anyone knows more about this please let me know) opting to go with Peschke--a fine doubles player in her own right, who did hold the no. 1 ranking for part of the year with Slovene partner Srebotnik--instead of their successful team that plays together on tour in Benesova and Zahlavova Strycova, or even Hlavackova and Hradecka who won the French Open.  Maybe they are wanting Kvitova to play doubles too along with Peschke.  (Hradecka is on the team and could also partner Peschke.)  Russia has Kirilenko who had a nice doubles year with Azarenka but who she'll play with and even if she'll play is a question mark.  All that said, I say the Czechs come out on top in a live 5th rubber.

I will also mention that in Davis Cup action last weekend, Colombia defeated Mexico 3-0 to stay in Americas Zonal Group I and relegating the Mexicans to Zonal Group II.

While I'm posting, here are the quarterfinalists in ATP events in Basel and Valencia, where the seeds have dropped like flies.  The surprise of the week so far is the return of Sam Querrey, as he knocked off Tsonga to reach the quarters.  It also seems like no one really wants to go to London as Berdych, Tsonga, Almagro, Tipsarevic, and Simon all made early exits.

Basel, Switzerland

1) Novak Djokovic (SRB)

3) Roger Federer (SUI)

7) Andy Roddick (USA)

Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI)

Florian Mayer (GER)

Kei Nishikori (JPN)

Marcos Baghdatis (CYP)

L) Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ)

Valencia, Spain

1) David Ferrer (ESP)

3) Gael Monfils (FRA)

6) Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG)

Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)

Marcel Granollers (ESP)

Juan Monaco (ARG)

Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP)

Sam Querrey (USA)