Fed Cup Preview

And so we turn our attention from the men to the women, from Davis Cup to Fed Cup.  With the two world groups in Fed Cup, you get more opportunities for the top teams to battle early in the season, and that is certainly the case this year.  There are several matchups that are difficult to predict and also a few teams playing without top players, which is always the wildcard in Fed Cup seemingly more so than in Davis Cup.

World Group I

Italy at United States - This is a battle of the B teams as Serena, Stephens, Venus, Errani, Vinci, Pennetta, and Schiavone are all out.  So it leaves Keys, Riske, McHale, and Davis to battle Giorgi, Knapp, Burnett, and Matteucci.  Because of the inexperience of these players, this tie is tough to call, especially as several of the women come in with good form, particularly Riske and Knapp.  But I've got to with the Americans as they are at home and probably have the better talent, especially in Keys. They also have the most experienced Fed Cup player in McHale.  That said, an Italian win wouldn't shock me in the slightest.  USA 3 ITA 1

Czech Republic at Spain - The Spanish women, like their male counterparts are tough outs at home and Suarez Navarro is playing well.  Kvitova is not and has been sick, and the Czechs aren't bringing their usual amazing doubles team.  But Spain doesn't have a lot of in form depth behind Suarez, so this is another tie that goes either way.  Safarova and Zakopalova are hit and miss and if Kvitova isn't amazing this could be tough.  I think Spain pulls an ambush.  ESP 3 CZE 1

Germany at Slovakia - This may be the tie of the weekend with Kerber, Lisicki, and Petkovic heading indoors to play the losing Aussie Open finalist and a resurgent Hantuchova.  The Germans don't always play best in Fed Cup and they haven't exactly been lighting up the tour recently anyway so if Cibulkova has anything left after Australia I think they get this done.  SVK 3 GER 1

Russia at Australia - So we have the up and coming Russians playing at Australia, where the Aussies tend to struggle.  This may be the chance Stosur, Dellacqua, and Barty have to get the monkey off their back as Russia is playing with Kan, Khromacheva, Solovyeva, and Kudermetova.  That might be a good lineup 5 years from now, but the Aussies are in form and I don't think they let this slip away.  AUS 3 RUS 0

At least one of these ties is bound to go to the doubles, but I'll stick with my 3-1 picks.

Six of these countries were in World Group I last year.  The newcomers are Germany and Spain, who rejoin after only one year down in World Group II.

World Group II

Serbia at Canada - Serbia is without Ivanovic and Jankovic, but Jovanovski has been through this before.  Bouchard, also, has been taking Canada on her shoulders recently.  The winner of the Bouchard vs Jovanovski match likely wins this tie, and based on recent form, that's Bouchard.  And Canada has just a bit more depth behind their top player.  CAN 3 SRB 2

Poland at Sweden - With her sister, Aga Radwanska is backed up in singles by the rapidly rising Piter against the Swedish stalwarts of Arvidsson and Larsson.  I don't think Radwanska will lose and Swedes are fading so I think Piter can pick off one of them.  POL 3 SWE 1

Switzerland at France - This should be another good tie with Cornet and Mladenovic staying in Paris after the indoors against Voegele and the prodigy Bencic.  France also has good depth with Garcia and Razzano.  Cornet is in good form but can she handle the pressure as the Swiss seem to punch above their weight in Fed Cup.  I think the visitors walk in and pull the upset, but if does get to doubles I can't pick against Mladenovic.  SUI 3 FRA 1

Japan at Argentina - Argentina is tough to beat on clay in Argentina in Fed Cup and this is no exception.  Morita and Date-Krumm are not playing for Japan so it will be Doi, Nara, and Ozaki to counter Ormaechea, Irigoyen, and Molinero.  ARG 3 JPN 0

Four of these countries (ARG, FRA, SWE, SUI) were in the group last year.  Japan and Serbia played up in World Group I last year.  Japan had been up for only year while it was for the Serbs.  Up from the zones this year are Canada and Poland.  The Poles haven't played at this level since 2010 while Canada was here in 2011.

Europe/Africa Zonal Group I
Budapest, Hungary

Group A: Belgium, Croatia, Luxembourg, Netherlands

The Belgians are at full strength for the first time awhile with Flipkens and Wickmayer and will be the favorite in the group.  Vekic has been slumping recently and plays alongs Martic and Mrdeza but no Konjuh.  Luxembourg has their veterans Minella and Kremer, and the Dutch have Bertens and Rus who are good at times but haven't made many headlines recently.  Besides they often don't play their best in Fed Cup.  It is tough to see the Belgians not emerging from this group.

Winner: BEL
Loser: LUX

Group B: Great Britain, Hungary, Latvia, Romania

The British players seem to be out of form with Robson and Watson both not winning like they did a few years back.  They are joined Konta who has had some success.  Hungary is at home and has decent players in Babos, Jani, and Czink.  Latvia rode Ostapenko to the Group II title last year but without Sevastova going a step further will be tough.  That leaves Romania as the group favorites, and while they often play poorly in Fed Cup, this may be their strongest team ever with Halep, Cirstea, Niculescu, and Begu.  They shouldn't be seriously challenged.

Winner: ROU
Loser: GBR

Group C: Austria, Israel, Slovenia, Ukraine

This may the toughest group to call.  Meusburger, Mayr-Achleitner, and Paszek are all here for Austria so they will be a tough out.  Glushko is coming off a career year to compliment Peer for Israel.  The Slovenes may be the weak link with not much behind Hercog, though Klepac can play doubles, which is important in the zones.  And then there's Ukraine with the in form Svitolina and Savchuk, but no Tsurenko.  I really could one of three ways with this and even Slovenia could surprise.  This will be a fun group to watch.  *flips coin*  Going with Ukraine based on past Fed Cup success.

Winner: UKR
Loser: ISR

Group D: Belarus, Bulgaria, Portugal, Turkey

So we move from the strongest group to the weakest.  Azarenka is not playing for Belarus so it is Govortsova and not much else.  Bulgaria has Pironkova, who may be the in form player in the group but not much else.  Portugal has Larcher de Brito and Koehler but it's been awhile since they've been in any headlines.  And Turkey doesn't have any recognizable names outside of this competition.  I'm going with Bulgaria almost by default.

Winner: BUL
Loser: TUR

Promotion:  BEL def. BUL, ROU def. UKR
Relegation:  LUX def. TUR, ISR def. GBR

Belgium and Ukraine were dumped down from World Group II last year, ending lengthy time spent out of the zones.  The Belgians last competed here in 1995 and for Ukraine it was 2007.

Croatia and Bulgaria lost in the promotion round last year.

Latvia and Tunisia were promoted from Zonal Group II last year.  Latvia returns after a 2 year absence.  Tunisia was promoted in back-to-back years and was to play in Group I for the first time since 1994 but I don't know what happened to them.  But if you read this article, their Davis Cup team was suspended for a year, so perhaps that applies to their Fed Cup team as well.

Luxembourg and Turkey escaped relegation last year by winning in the relegation round.

Americas Zonal Group I
Lambare, Paraguay

Group A: Mexico, Paraguay, Venezuela

Paraguay has been close in the past with Cepede Royg and Gonzalez, so I would tip them to win this group, especially at home.

Group B: Bahamas, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador

I'm really not sure how Brazil and Colombia ended up in the same group as they have far and away been the best teams at this level over the past several years, at least from those who have never gotten promoted.  The group will assuredly come down to that matchup, and I like Colombia with Duque-Marino and Castano versus Brazil with Pereira and not a lot of depth behind her with no Haddad Maia.

Promotion tie:  COL def. PAR
Relegation ties:  MEX def. BAH, VEN def. ECU

No teams were relegated from World Group II leaving a tremendous opportunity for someone to get to playoffs and maybe force a European team to travel to South America.  Brazil lost the promotion tie last year to Canada.

The Bahamas and Ecuador were promoted from Zonal Group II last year.  For Bahamas it was an immediate return to Group I but Ecuador hasn't played at this level since 2001.  Venezuela and Mexico fended off relegation by winning relegation ties last year.

Asia/Pacific Zonal Group I
Astana, Kazakhstan

Group A: Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Thailand

This group comes down to the tie between the Kazakhs and Thais.  The home team is stacked with Voskoboeva, Shvedova, Putintseva, and Karantantcheva, but Thailand has been rising with Kumkhum (def. Kvitova at the Aussie Open), Lertcheewakarn, Lertpitaksinchai (win in Pattaya last week), and veteran Tanasugarn.  With the home court though, I think Kazakhstan will advance.

Group B: China, South Korea, Taiwan, Uzbekistan

China for once is throwing a decent team out there with Peng, Zhang, and S.Zheng and they are the heavy favorites.  Taiwan doesn't have their best players, and Amanmuradova hasn't been great for a couple years now after a nice run.  The Chinese challenge will be if they can match the Kazakhs.  I don't think so.

Promotion tie:  KAZ def. CHN
Relegation tie:  TPE def. INA

No teams were relegated from (or promoted to) World Group II last year.  Kazakhstan lost in the playoffs and Thailand lost to them in the promotion tie.

Indonesia was promoted form Zonal Group II after just a one year stay there.  South Korea won the relegation tie to stay in Group I.

Asia/Pacific Zonal Group II
Astana, Kazakhstan

Group A: Hong Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam
Group B: Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka
Group C: Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan
Group D: India, Iran, New Zealand, Pakistan

From what I can tell, 13 teams are playing for one promotion spot to Group I.  Leading candidates are India with Mirza, and New Zealand with Erakovic, who happen to be drawn into the same group.  I like the Kiwis to advance because Erakovic should be able to beat Mirza at singles and they are both good doubles players.  I don't know anything about each teams no. 2.  Hong Kong has made the promotion tie the last 3 years and could also be a threat.

India was relegated from Group I last year after spending just one year there.  Two countries are here that did not play Fed Cup last year.  Sri Lanka returns after a one year absence, but Iraq hasn't fielded a team since 2000.

Europe/Africa Zonal Group III
Tallinn, Estonia

Group A: Armenia, Estonia, Namibia
Group B: Cyprus, Greece, Moldova
Group C: Denmark, Madagascar, Norway
Group D: Iceland, Ireland, Malta

There are 3 names of note: Wozniacki, Kanepi, and Daniilidou, although some may know Kanepi's teammate Kontaveit.  I think moving this group to the same date as other Fed Cup action helped get Wozniacki and Kanepi to play because there are no other WTA tournaments ongoing.  Unfortunately the Group A and Group C winners will play for promotion as will the Group B and Group D winners, which means Denmark and Estonia will likely meet.  I think Estonia can will that due to Kontaveit.  Greece is a likely candidate to claim the other promotion.

Promotion ties: EST def. DEN, GRE def. IRL

Estonia and Greece were relegated from Group II last year.  For Estonia, it was 3 consecutive years of relegation, in part because of injuries to Kanepi.  They have never been this low in the competition.  Greece has been relegated in two consecutive years, they last played in Group III in 2009.

Denmark and Moldova were each one win from promotion last year.

And that is the upcoming week/weekend of Fed Cup.  Only Americas and Europe/Africa Zonal Group II will not be contested this week.  Enjoy the tennis and if anyone knows anything certain about Tunisia please let me know.