Fed Cup SF/Playoffs Preview

While the men are battling out a Masters in Monte Carlo, the women have scattered across the globe to contest ten important ties plus lower zonal group round robins.  The story of the weekend though is really the players won't scatter to the four corners of the earth because there are many women who are starting these ties out and few teams that are at full strength.  The World Group I semifinals are this weekend to determine the two teams to play for the Fed Cup at the end of the year, but also eight playoff ties are being held to see which countries will compete in the World Group I and II in 2013.

World Group I Semifinals

Serbia at Russia:  The Serbian squad is at full strength but deep and mighty Russia is missing its top two players Sharapova and Zvonareva.  They still a good team with Kuznetsova, Pavlyuchenkova, Kirilenko, and Vesnina.  The first two are way out of form but have a tendency to pull it together for Fed Cup.  Serbia comes in with Jankovic, Ivanovic, Jovanovski, and Krunic and similarly Jankovic is a bit out of form but has been their hero in the past.  This tie is very difficult to predict because you really don't know what you're going to get from anyone in this format.  Serbia has the better players, but Russia is at home so I think we may see a live doubles rubber.  In that case, I'll go with the Serbs because Jankovic/Krunic has been lethal in the past and Russia doesn't have a great doubles record (though Kuznetsova/Kleybanova beat Jankovic/Ivanovic in 2010).  SRB 3 RUS 2

Itay at Czech Republic:  Both these teams are at full strength, making this another close tie.  The indoor setting will help out both Kvitova and Safarova against clay-loving Italians who now have all 4 players inside the top 30.  I think Italy has a decent chance of working around to Kvitova to setup Errani/Vinci with all their accolades to win the doubles, and I wouldn't be surprised if that happens.  But I think the Italians are in enough flux and the surface benefits the home team, so maybe foolishly I'll say Safarova steps up to get 1 point and the Czechs advance.  CZE 3 ITA 1

World Group I Playoffs

United States at Ukraine:  Now we'll start seeing the absences.  The USA is actually at full strength behind Serena and McHale but no Bondarenkos for the home side.  Ukraine does have promising players with some clay success (Svitolina won the girls French in 2010) and Tsurenko did beat Schiavone earlier this year. Ukraine is prone to upsets, and I'll give them a point, but this is going to be too much to ask.  USA 3 UKR 1

Belgium at Japan:  The Belgians of the future head east to take a full strength Japanese squad with Morita and Date Krumm.  Neither Wickmayer nor Flipkens made the trip so Belgium is left with some junior stars in Mestach and van Uytvanck as well as Hendler, whose had some success on the ITF circuit.  But again, probably too much to ask, especially on the road a world away.  JPN 3 BEL 0

Slovakia at Spain:  Spain is hosting this tie on Marbella's clay, but still can't get their top 3 players to show up.  So it will be up their B-team of Soler Espinosa, Dominiguez Lino, Llagostera Vives, and Parra Santonja to stop the full strength Slovaks with Cibulkova and Hantuchova.  This could have been a grand opportunity for the Spaniards but as it is they've got no shot in my opinion.  I'll only give them one point because the Slovaks are prone to choking.  SVK 3 ESP 1

Australia at Germany:  This should be one of the better ties of the weekend with Stosur and her clay exploits (and Gajdosova) taking on Goerges, Kerber, and the returning Petkovic.  Both Stosur and Goerges have had success in Stuttgart recently.  However, the Germans are deep and almost all in form so Stosur will need to win two matches and help in the doubles.  Not sure that's going to happen.  Maybe it gets to the doubles, maybe it doesn't, but either way I think Germany wins.  GER 3 AUS 1

World Group II Playoffs

Slovenia at France:  Bartoli is obviously not playing for France, but the B-team of in form Parmentier, Razzano, and Foretz Gacon will have a chance against the Slovenes and Hercog, Rampre, and up-and-coming Kolar with Srebotnik for doubles.  Hercog's health is a bit of question or I might have her leading Slovenia to victory.  As is, I think someone on the French squad can beat her and there's not much depth behind her.  FRA 3 SLO 1

Belarus at Switzerland:  Azarenka won't be playing for Belarus but their no. 2 Govortsova is very much in form.  The Swiss have decent players too though in Voegele and Bacsinszky and home court while Belarus has very little behind Govortsova, the home side should prevail, sending the world #1 down to zonal group I.  SUI 3 BLR 2

Great Britain at Sweden:  The Brits did a nice job to get back to this level but it's going to tough to convert this chance into a World Group II appearance next year.  Sweden has been solid in Fed Cup with Arvidsson and Larsson while visitors counter with Baltacha, Keothavong, Robson, and Watson.  The Brits should make a good tie out of this but I like the Swede's experience in the end.  SWE 3 GBR 2

China at Argentina:  I guess there's an advantage to being in the Western Hemisphere as tour moves to Europe.  Visiting Fed Cup teams will stripped of their talent.  I don't recognize any Chinese names and while Argentina is without Dulko they do have in form Ormaechea.  A little hard to predict this but think the home team has to come out on top in Parque Roca.  ARG 3 CHN 1

Europe/Africa Zonal Group II

Pool A:  Denmark, Finland, Montenegro, South Africa
Pool B:  Georgia, Latvia, Norway, Turkey

Wozniacki is skipping this tie, Sevastova is hurt, so there are only two names I recognize here:  Tatishvili for Georgia and doubles specialist Grandin for S.A.  Norway was dropped down to Group III two years ago but got the call back up only because of their Fed Cup ranking and the powers that be wanted 8 teams in this group.  Denmark and Latvia were the teams dumped down from Group I last year while Montenegro and South Africa were bumped up from zone Group III.

Europe/Africa Zonal Group III

Pool A:  Armenia, Ireland, Kenya, Malta, Morocco
Pool B:  Cyprus, Egypt, Lithuania, Moldova, Namibia, Tunisia

The names I recognize here are the Moroccan Lalami who made the Fes QF last year, and reigning girls French champ Jabeur from Tunisia.  Good for these nations to be able to get a team together and compete in Fed Cup.  Armenia and Morocco were relegated from Group II last year.  Cyprus, Kenya, and Namibia are back in Fed Cup after not competing since 2005 (CYP,KEN) and 2006 (NAM).

Americas Zonal Group II

Pool A:  Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Trinidad & Tobago
Pool B:  Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Uruguay

This is the lowest group for the Americas Zone (only Europe/Africa has 3 levels), and the only name I recognize is Puerto Rican junior star Puig.  Chile and Mexico dropped down from Group II last year.

Davis Cup Asia/Pacific Zonal Group IV

Pool A:  Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates
Pool B:  Cambodia, Jordan, Myanmar, Qatar, Singapore

This is the lowest group of Davis Cup, period, after Americas Zonal Group IV was eliminated this year.  Myanmar and the UAE were demoted from Group III last year.  Cambodia is making its Davis Cup debut while Saudi Arabia last competed in 2009.