Fed Cup Semis, Playoffs Preview

It is busy weekend ahead for Fed Cup, as we have ten ties which will form the World Groups for 2014 and set the final to be played over 6 months from now.  Here is my preview.

World Group Semifinals

Czech Republic at Italy:  The winners of the last 4 Fed Cups clash in an intriguing semifinal on clay in Italy, which several top 25 players.  Errani and Vinci have replaced Schiavone and Pennetta in leading roles for Italy while Kvitova and Safarova will go yet again for the Czechs, who also have Zakopalova available for singles.  I expect the Italians to succeed here at home on clay, and mostly because of their standout doubles team.  And Vinci just beat Kvitova on clay in Katowice on Sunday.  Safarova is going to have to win to give the Czechs a chance, because strangely they aren't fielding a standout doubles team as they usually do.  Hradecka is on the team but with whom would she play?  ITA 3 CZE 2

Slovakia at Russia:  I call this the battle of the chokers.  Both seem to have mentally suspect players and should be competing for and winning Fed Cup titles more often.  Anyway, I was about to introduce Russia's B-squad but really these are some of their highest ranked players, Sharapova excepted.  Kirilenko and Pavlyuchenkova, both in form, will likely play singles with Makarova and Vesnina likely playing doubles, though they also have had nice singles results this year.  Slovakia counters with their usual duo of Cibulkova and Hantuchova though Rybarikova is actually ranked than the latter.  It is hard for me to imagine Slovakia winning this unless they get a heroic effort for Cibulkova because Hantuchova has not had a good year, but given the two countries past results, there is little that would surprise me.  RUS 3 SVK 1

World Group I Playoffs
Winners to World Group I in 2014, losers to World Group II

Serbia at Germany:  This could be an interesting tie as both sides are missing key pieces.  Germany has Kerber, Barthel, and Lisicki with Groenefeld for doubles while Serbia counters with Ivanovic and Jovanovski.  I don't have much trust in these Germans right now but Serbs have been up and down too.  I'm going to have go with the home side and the fact the Kerber is just...better.  This could go to the doubles but I say Barthel clinches against Jovanovski.  GER 3 SRB 1

Australia at Switzerland:  This is a tricky tie for the Aussies as Stosur and Gajdosova have been out of form and Dellacqua and Barty have little Fed Cup experience.  The Swiss often punch above their weight in Fed Cup and Oprandi and Voegele have both been great this year.  I say Switzerland gets the upset on their home court.  SUI 3 AUS 1

Japan at Spain:  Spain is very tough to beat at home, and have the rising Suarez Navarro.  Japan is without Date Krumm but Morita has been very good in Fed Cup.  I think she can win two rubbers and threaten the Spaniards but Dominguez Lino and Soler-Espinosa will be good in the doubles.  I don't think the visitors will get much from Doi or Nara.  ESP 3 JPN 2

Sweden at United States:  The Williams sisters are both in the fold as the USA fields its most dangerous team in many years, with Stephens and Lepchenko also here.  Arvidsson and Larsson are battle tested and tough out but they're going to lack the firepower.  I wouldn't be shocked if one of them beats Stephens but Serena has never lost Fed Cup singles.  USA 3 SWE 0

World Group II Playoffs
Winners to World Group II in 2014, losers are sent to the zones

Poland at Belgium:  Wickmayer has begged out of this tie, saying it should be played on clay, so the Radwanska sisters ought to have plenty of fun.  Flipkens is very much in form but would need a truly heroic effort to knock off the Poles as she has van Uytvanck and Mestach beside her.  POL 3 BEL 1

Kazakhstan at France:  Bartoli is set play Fed Cup for France and has rising Cornet and Mladenovic alongside her but the Kazakhs are stacked too with Shvedova, Pervak, and Voskoboeva.  I really like France as I'm not sure how much patriotism resides in these Russian transplants, and the French are the in form players.  But if gets to doubles the Kazakhs will be favored, likely with Shvedova/Voskoboeva.  FRA 3 KAZ 1

Great Britain at Argentina:  The Parque Roca is a dangerous place for visiting Davis and Fed Cup teams, but Sweden may have broken the curse when they came from 2-0 down in February to beat the Argentines.  Robson is going in with Watson, but with Keothavong and Baltacha against Ormaechea, Irigoyen, and Molinero.  This is tough to call but again, Argentina doesn't lose much at home.  I say Robson gets her two points but the home side gets the rest with their crowd behind them.  ARG 3 GBR 2

Canada at Ukraine:  The new look Ukraine squad of Tsurenko and Svitolina has done damage before in Fed Cup with a win over Australia and nearly taking out Italy in recent years, while Canada is a rising team led by Bouchard along with Fichman and Dubois.  I can see this going either way but will pick Ukraine because they're at home and that's a tough place to get to.  But it wouldn't surprise if Bouchard came through big for the visitors.  UKR 3 CAN 1

Europe/Africa Zonal Group II

This is some other action taking place this week and it got underway today.

Pool A: Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Tunisia
Pool B: Greece, Lithuania, Montenegro, South Africa

There are three players that are recognizable after Kanepi, Scheepers, Sevastova, and Daniilidou haven't showed up:  Simmonds (RSA), Jabeur (TUN), and the youngster Kovinic (MNE).  It was rumored Kanepi would play and easily send Estonia back to Group I but she has pulled out on junior star Kontaveit isn't there either.  So this is tough to call but I'm going to say Tunisia and Montenegro advance but wouldn't be surprised with Latvia or South Africa either.  Greece and Finland are leading candidates to be relegated after the Greeks lost to Montenegro earlier today.

In case you're wondering, Estonia and Greece were relegated from Group I last year while Lithuania and Tunisia were the promoted teams from Group III