Fed Cup Preview: Try and Stay Awake

Posted on November 24, 2004

The Krylatskoe Ice Stadium in Moscow is the site for the Fed Cup semifinals beginning Wednesday, with the powerhouse Russian team facing a more-than-anemic Austrian squad (quick, name an Austrian player), and the defending champs France against Spain.

Amelie Mauresmo left the French in a lurch when, much to the chagrin of coach Guy Forget, said she would rather rest up for another shot at No. 1 next year than go through the week-long semifinal and finals grind of the Fed Cup finale. Mary Pierce, who earlier in the year said she would pull if Mauresmo didn't play, says she is too injured to play the semis but might play the final if France qualifies. Pierce is on-site in Moscow supporting the team.

"I can't believe (Mauresmo) did this," Forget said in the sports daily L'Equipe. "Until the very last minute I tried to make her change her mind but her answer was negative."

Now France is led by Nathalie Dechy and teen Tatiana "Hot Pants" Golovin, but the France-Spain winner is moot since whoever advances to the final will get steamrolled by Russia. The Russian team features three players who qualified for the WTA Championships in US Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova, French Open winner Anastasia Myskina, and Vera "The Crying Game" Zvonareva.

Expect to hear plenty of boasting during the week from Russian captain Shamil Tarpishev, who does not even require the services of Wimbledon/WTA Championships winner Maria Sharapova this week in Moscow.

Able to name an Austrian player yet? The underwhelming Austrian squad is comprised of Sybille "The Whammer" Bammer, Daniela "The Cereal Killer" Kix, Yvonne "Brent" Meusburger, and Patty Wartusch. Barbara Schett, Austria's No. 1 player, tore ligaments in her ankle early in November, putting her on the sidelines for the Fed Cup finale.

Against France, Spain will bring to the table Marta Marrero, Anabel "Funky Cold" Medina Garrigues, Virginia Ruano Pascual, and Maria Sanchez Lorenzo.

The French are attempting to become the first nation since the U.S. in 1999-2000 to win back-to-back Fed Cup titles.

"It's a new team and I remember when I was young and started playing Davis Cup, it was a great opportunity to be in the team," Forget said of Golovin and Dechy getting their shot. "The girls here are very proud and they're going to give the best they have to bring a point to the team."

The order for the Russia-Austria match-up will be Kuznetsova vs. Meusburger, Myskina vs. Wartusch, Myskina vs. Meusburger, Kuznetsova vs. Wartusch, and in the doubles Elena Likhovtseva/The Crying Game vs. Meusburger/Wartusch.

The France-Spain line-up is Hot Pants vs. Funky Cold Medina, Dechy vs. Sanchez Lorenzo, Dechy vs. Funky Cold Medina, Hot Pants vs. Sanchez Lorenzo, and in the doubles Marion Bartoli/Emilie Loit vs. Marrero/Ruano Pascual.

After the semifinals are contested the winning teams will receive a day's rest before the final is played on Saturday and Sunday.

TENNIS-X NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES AND BARBS
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