 Photographer: Ron Angle
Date: 02 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Ron Angle
Date: 02 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Ron Angle
Date: 02 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Ron Angle
Date: 02 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Ron Angle
Date: 02 Feb 2008 |  Photographer: Ron Angle
Date: 02 Feb 2008 |
|
| 02 Feb 2008 - La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, La Jolla, CA - Sandra Harwitt - USA v GER | |
| Rain stops play in La Jolla |
In a surprising turn of events on Saturday in the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas first round between the USA and Germany, Lindsay Davenport was upset and teammate Ashley Harkleroad made a successful Fed Cup debut.
Davenport, a former world No. 1, who had not lost a Fed Cup match since 1994, never seemed to find the feel for her game during the afternoon. That coupled with the fact that 18-year-old Sabine Lisicki played tenacious and confident tennis to upset Davenport 61 75. “I have a hard time remembering the last time a match went so one-sided against me,” said Davenport, 31, after the loss.
As for the No. 76 Harkleroad, she handled a tough situation of going into the second match of the day with the US down 0-1 with great maturity. She easily defeated the No. 87 Tatjana Malek 61 63, an outcome that left the German inconsolable and in tears.
“After she (Davenport) lost, I really just tried to focus on my game,” Harkleroad said. “And just going out and enjoying the opportunity to be out there since this is my first Fed Cup…Zina told me, ‘just enjoy the moment because you never know.’ And that’s what I did, and I executed it and I had fun.”
Lisicki makes spectacular debut
Lisicki, who excitedly ran into the arms of her teammates after securing the win in her first Fed Cup match, came out with little pressure and a game plan to mix things up and keep Davenport guessing. “It’s just a match as any other,” Lisicki said. “So I’m going into a match wanting to win. I’m not just going on the court to play. I went on the court and I wanted to win. I didn’t want to go and lose… I thought well, if I play well, I have my chances.”
Lisicki’s strategy worked wonders as she kept Davenport constantly off-kilter and unable to anticipate whether she was going to be looking at a slice serve out wide or a bomb, a heavy groundstroke or a drop shot.
“Obviously, (I’m) disappointed with the way I went out there and played,” said Davenport, who hadn’t lost a Fed Cup rubber since 1994. “But at the same time, she played very well and (that) had a lot to do with that. I never felt great all day.”
Garrison unable to lift Davenport
US captain Zina Garrison said she had a hard time knowing what to tell Davenport as her lackluster performance was unfolding. “At first, I tried to think of little things to say,” Garrison said. “Then you realize sometimes you just have to back off and just kind of let her, hopefully, get within herself.”
Lisicki, who scored big with 15 aces during the one hour, 24 minute match, quickly agreed that the win over Davenport was the best of her career, taking over from her other biggest career win when she upset Dinara Safina in the first round of the Australian Open last month. But what was most impressive about Lisicki’s performance was an ability to rebound from 5-2 down to Davenport in the second set to close out the mach.
In the opening set, Lisicki allowed Davenport to win only one game, in which the American saved one break point and closed out with an ace. Davenport, whose Fed Cup record now stands at 31-3 (25-3 in singles) is hoping to get her game in gear for the opening match on Sunday against Malek.
Davenport looks for Sunday recovery
“All I can say is that I tried and did not play my best,” Davenport said. “I get to try and go out there tomorrow and rectify that situation. Hopefully, like I said, it’s enough for the US team, but obviously I feel bad for my teammates.”
Harkleroad raced to a 5-0 lead in the opening set before Malek rebounded from 15-40 down to hold serve. In the second set, Malek was able to stay even to 2-2 before she lost the ability to fight off the Harkleroad onslaught.
In Sunday’s second match, Harkleroad will take on the determined Lisicki. In the doubles, Davenport and Lisa Raymond are scheduled to face Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Julia Goerges.
Related Links on other websites
> Information from USTA
> Informationen auf Deutsch – DTB
Related Links on Fedcup.com
> Tie Information
> Scorecards and stats from this tie
> Davenport kicks off for USA
Related audio
 Interview with Sabine Lisicki (GER)
Interview with Ashley Harkleroad (USA)
 
Update media player above.
|
Español
