Spain and Czech Republic advance to Fed Cup final phase

Spain and Czech Republic advance to Fed Cup final phase
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

Paris, April 30: The Czech Republic and Spain will join defending champions the United States in the final phase of the newly-formatted Fed Cup world group competition in November after heading their respective pools on Saturday.

In the decisive doubles match Czech duo Kveta Hrdlickova and Daniela Bedanova beat Slovak pair Karina Habsudova and Daniela Hantuchova 7-5, 6-3, despite trailing 4-1 in the first set.

The Czech's benefited by Hantuchova's weak service in the sixth game to get back into the match and again in the 12th game to secure the first set.

The turning point in the second set came when Hantuchova lost her serve in the sixth game and the Czech's charged on to win the match largely due to Bedanova's excellent serve.

It was a disappointing finish for the 17-year-old Hantuchova, who earlier created an upset when she won the opening singles game against Hrdlickova in straight sets 6-4, 6-2.

Ranked just 157th in the world, the young Slovak called in to replace Henrieta Nagyova, had no problem beating world number 46 Hrdlickova to give Slovakia the first point of the tie.

However, the Czechs came back with a vengeance in the second singles with Denisa Chladkova easily dimissing Habsudova 6-4, 6-4.

In Italy Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario gave Spain their first point when she beat Andrea Glass in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.

But the Germans came back thanks to National number one Anke Huber overpowering Spanish number one Conchita Martinez in equally decisive fashion 6-3, 6-1.

In the crucial doubles rubber the Spanish proved the stronger with Sanchez-Vicario and Martinez beating Huber and Barbara Rittner 6-3, 6-2.

Meanwhile, all is still to play in the pool C tie in Moscow where France were subjected to a surprise 2-1 defeat at the hands of Belgium.

France and Belgium now have two wins each to their credit and who advances to the final phase now depends on whether Russia, who have already won one and lost one tie, win against Belgium.

The Belgian assault was launched by 16-year-old Kim Clijsters, who totally outclassed French veteran Nathalie Tauziat winning the first set 6-1 in just 20 minutes.

Clijsters played faultlessly making her opponent run-around the court by drawing her into the net and producing lobs and cross shots, before clinching the match with 6-4 in the second set.

Els Callens earlier defeated Julie Halard-Decugis of France 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 with French doubles pair Tauziat and Halard-Decugis salvaging French pride against Callens and Laurence Courtois in the doubles by winning 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.

Italy defeated Croatia 3-0 in their Pool A tie yesterday ensuring that they will remain in the world group of the competition next year.

The two sides had started the third day of their round robin tournament occupying the bottom two places in the group behind Germany and Spain.

Tathiana Garbin, who won her first WTA event the Budapest Open last week, gave the Italians their first point whe she secured a difficult 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) win over Jelena Kostanic.

Italian number one Silvia Farina later defeated Silvija Talaja 6-4, 7-5 in the second singles match to give the victory they needed to safeguard their world group status.

The hosts went on to win the doubles when Rita Grande and Giulia Casoni overcame Kostanic and Talaja 6-4, 5-7, 6-3.

Croatia have played and lost all three of their ties while Italy will face Germany in their final tie.