2010 Federation Cup Preview
In early February, the weekend after the 2010 Australian Open, top seed and 2009 Federation Cup Champions, Italy, travel to the Ukraine to most likely face the Bondarenko sisters, Alona and Kateryna. It could be a challenging test for the Italians in front of the
Ukrainian home crowd because the sisters can be very tough in singles and have already captured a Grand Slam doubles titles together.
Another interesting first round tie will feature the Russians playing against most likely Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic in Serbia. The Russians have so many talented women to choose from when selecting the team, i.e. Svetlana Kuznetsova, Maria Sharapova, Elena Dementieva, Vera Zvonareva, etc. Nonetheless, if Ivanovic can find her form again in 2010 and Jankovic plays solidly, then the Serbs have a serious chance to upset the Russians. The Serbs also are hosting the United States in a first round Davis Cup tie in March. These high-profile home Federation and Davis Cup ties can definitely serve to boost the popularity of tennis in Serbia where it is already becoming a very popular sport given the success and fame of Novak Djokovic, Ivanovic and Jankovic.
The second seeded, United States, will play in France against a French Federation Cup team which lost three players to retirement in 2009, i.e. Amelie Mauresmo, Nathalie Dechy and Emilie Loit. There is still a lot of depth in French women’s tennis, but it should be a very competitive first round tie and a great opportunity for both countries to advance to the second round (assuming that Serena and Venus Williams bypass this one). The last tie in the opening round of the eight country 2010 Federation Cup draw features Germany playing in the Czech Republic. This is another tie which presents an excellent opportunity for both teams to reach the second round. Sabine Lisicki will probably lead the Germans against the Czech Republic which will most likely include former Australian Open quarterfinalist, Lucie Safarova, and Iveta Benesova.
The three rounds of the 2010 Federation Cup will be played in February, April and November. As always, it’s hard to find a convenient time in the packed tennis calendar for Federation Cup ties, but at least they are not played a week after Wimbledon and the U.S. Open as is true with Davis Cup. The matches are also played over one weekend culminating with the doubles as the fifth rubber, if necessary, which can be very exciting.
Another interesting first round tie will feature the Russians playing against most likely Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic in Serbia. The Russians have so many talented women to choose from when selecting the team, i.e. Svetlana Kuznetsova, Maria Sharapova, Elena Dementieva, Vera Zvonareva, etc. Nonetheless, if Ivanovic can find her form again in 2010 and Jankovic plays solidly, then the Serbs have a serious chance to upset the Russians. The Serbs also are hosting the United States in a first round Davis Cup tie in March. These high-profile home Federation and Davis Cup ties can definitely serve to boost the popularity of tennis in Serbia where it is already becoming a very popular sport given the success and fame of Novak Djokovic, Ivanovic and Jankovic.
The second seeded, United States, will play in France against a French Federation Cup team which lost three players to retirement in 2009, i.e. Amelie Mauresmo, Nathalie Dechy and Emilie Loit. There is still a lot of depth in French women’s tennis, but it should be a very competitive first round tie and a great opportunity for both countries to advance to the second round (assuming that Serena and Venus Williams bypass this one). The last tie in the opening round of the eight country 2010 Federation Cup draw features Germany playing in the Czech Republic. This is another tie which presents an excellent opportunity for both teams to reach the second round. Sabine Lisicki will probably lead the Germans against the Czech Republic which will most likely include former Australian Open quarterfinalist, Lucie Safarova, and Iveta Benesova.
The three rounds of the 2010 Federation Cup will be played in February, April and November. As always, it’s hard to find a convenient time in the packed tennis calendar for Federation Cup ties, but at least they are not played a week after Wimbledon and the U.S. Open as is true with Davis Cup. The matches are also played over one weekend culminating with the doubles as the fifth rubber, if necessary, which can be very exciting.
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