Fed Cup Preview: France at Austria

Posted on April 22, 2005

This year the Fed Cup kicks off its new format, with only eight teams competing in the elite "World Group I" to lift the Fed Cup for 2005. The Fed Cup final also moves from December to the week after the US Open.

"The changes that the ITF has made to Fed Cup come in response to the views of the players and our member National Associations," said ITF President Francesco Ricci "Itti" Bitti. "We believe that the new format can only enhance the competition and bring it closer to the very successful Davis Cup model. Fed Cup is, if not the most important, surely one of the most important team competitions for women in sport and the ITF is convinced that these changes will allow Fed Cup to maintain this position for the future."

Tennis-X will preview one of the World Group I ties each day leading to the Saturday start of the first round of the 2005 Fed Cup:

France at Austria
Site: Werzer Arena, Portschach, AUT
Surface: Red clay outdoors
Ball: Wilson Double Core

After France absolutely hammers Austria on their home clay, they will face the winner of Spain-Argentina in the semifinals.

Former No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo and two-time slam winner Mary Pierce lead the French Dream Team, against a who's-who (as in, "Who the hell?") list of Austrians including Yvonne Meusberger, Sybille Bammer, Sandra Klemenschits and Tamira Paszek. With the retirement last year of Barabara Schett, Austria is without a Top 100-ranked player on their roster.

Keep the jet warmed up on the runway, this will be a short one.