Davis Cup/Fed Cup

The final Fed Cup ties of 2010 took place last week, with the exception of the final which will not be played until November.  Europe/Africa Zonal Group II was contested in Yerevan, Armenia.  Greece and Luxembourg advanced to Zonal Group I while Norway and South Africa were relegated to Zonal Group III.  The Fed Cup groupings for 2011 are set as follows:

World Group:  Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Russia, Slovakia, United States
World Group II:  Canada, Estonia, Germany, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine

Europe/Africa Zone:
Zonal Group I:  Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Switzerland
Zonal Group II:  Armenia, Bosnia, Finland, Georgia, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Portugal, Turkey
Zonal Group III:  Algeria, Egypt, Ireland, Malta, Moldova, Norway, South Africa

Americas Zone:
Zonal Group I:  Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico
Zonal Group II:  Bahamas, Bermuda, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago

Asia/Pacific Zone:
Zonal Group I:  China, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Uzbekistan
Zonal Group II:  Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Syria



The Davis Cup also held their Asia/Pacific Zonal Group III competition in Tehran, Iran.  Iran and Syria were promoted to Asia/Pacific Zonal Group II while Bangladesh and Oman were relegated to Asia/Pacific Zonal Group IV.  Next week there is Zonal Group I action in all zones which means promotion to the World Group Playoffs for six countries.  There is also the Africa Zonal Group III, where 16 countries are vying for 2 spots in Europe/Africa Zonal Group II.  This is the first year for Europe and Africa separating the their lowest tier, which I imagine was done to get more African nations into Zonal Group II.

Here are your Group I ties:
Europe/Africa:  Italy @ Netherlands, Finland @ South Africa, Ukraine @ Romania
Americas:  Uruguay @ Brazil
Asia/Pacific:  Japan @ Australia, Kazakhstan @ China



In tour action, Rafael Nadal and Justine Henin showing they are the ones to beat with Nadal winning Rome and Henin winning Stuttgart.  Also Iveta Benesova gets a title, at Fes.  Ernests Gulbis also showing he may be finally living up to the hype by knocking off Federer and making the semis in Rome where he took a set off Rafa.