 Photographer: None/Not Applicable
Date: 23 Apr 2004 |  Photographer: None/Not Applicable
Date: 23 Apr 2004 |  Photographer: None/Not Applicable
Date: 23 Apr 2004 |  Photographer: None/Not Applicable
Date: 23 Apr 2004 |  Photographer: None/Not Applicable
Date: 23 Apr 2004 |  Photographer: None/Not Applicable
Date: 23 Apr 2004 |
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| 23 Apr 2004 - Circolo Tennis Maglie, Lecce, ITA - Gavin Versi | |
| Farina Elia the Key to Italian Hopes |
The draw is as follows:
Francesca SCHIAVONE (ITA) v Barbora STRYCOVA (CZE)
Silvia FARINA ELIA (ITA) v Klara KOUKALOVA (CZE)
Silvia FARINA ELIA (ITA) v Barbora STRYCOVA (CZE)
Francesca SCHIAVONE (ITA) v Klara KOUKALOVA (CZE)
Silvia FARINA ELIA/Francesca SCHIAVONE (ITA) v Libuse PRUSOVA/Nicole VAIDISOVA (CZE)
Speaking after the draw ceremony that took place at the town hall in Maglie, Czech captain Petra Langrova played down her side’s chances of upsetting hosts Italy. “Obviously we are not favourites for this tie but I’m sure the girls will do their best,” she said, while her No. 2 singles player Klara Koukalova commented: “Italy is the biggest favourite here. We have nothing to lose so will fight every ball, concentrate on the match, try to win and do everything.” The two nations have played each other four times before, with the Czechs leading the series 3-1. However, this is their first meeting in Italy.
The line-ups are looking very different from those that would have been expected at the turn of the year, as recent events have impacted the team selections of both Langrova and her counterpart Corrado Barrazzutti. A twisted left ankle prevents Mara Santangelo, the 22 year-old who burst onto the world stage by reaching the fourth round of January’s Australian Open, from making her Fed Cup debut for the home side. World No. 83 Tathiana Garbin, who only flew into Brindisi airport yesterday evening, replaces her. Perhaps prophetically, the Czech Republic’s No. 2 singles player Klara Koukalova beat Garbin in the first round of the Estoril Open last week, one of only two wins against Italians in ten career meetings.
The Czech side arrived in the south of Italy without their two highest-ranked players: neither Denisa Chladkova, ranked 52, nor Iveta Benesova (57), who reached the final in Estoril last week, have been selected. Langrova explained the reasons behind this: “Denisa said she doesn’t want to play since last year and I think two years ago. Iveta feels very tired because last season she played very bad and lost her ranking. She says she is very, very tired because last week she was in final in Estoril.”
The visitors are relishing the clay courts chosen by the hosts: both Strycova and Koukalova have achieved their best results to date on the red dirt, with the latter winning five of her last seven matches on the surface. “We’re happy to be playing on clay,” said Langrova. “The girls have played already a few tournaments on clay.”
The Czech side may also find comfort in the relatively poor Fed Cup record of Italy’s second singles player Francesca Schiavone. Though she has been ranked as high as 15 this year, one place above compatriot Silvia Farina Elia’s current position, statistically she holds the joint-worst Fed Cup record of all-time amongst her countrywomen: the 23-year-old has won just one of her four matches to date.
Although Italy has competed in all 41 years of women’s tennis’ premier team event, the nation is yet to reach the Fed Cup final. The best showings by the Italians are semifinal appearances in both 1999 and 2002, while the Czech Republic’s best display is reaching the final in 1986. Both teams were walloped 5-0 by the United States in last year’s competition and their chances of surpassing those best-ever results have been constricted by the draw, with holder France the likely opponent in the quarterfinals, provided France gets past Germany.
Italian No. 1 Farina Elia will get the tie underway tomorrow against Koukalova, the Czech No. 2. It will be the home player’s first Fed Cup appearance since losing both her singles matches in the 2002 semifinal defeat by the Slovak Republic. Schiavone will then square off against the away side’s No. 1 Barbora Strycova, who won the Australian Open junior crown in 2002 and 2003. “I’m not used to being in this position [leading her nation] and am a little nervous,” said a visibly excited Strycova.
Farina Elia and Schiavone are expected to face Libuse Prusova and Nicole Vaidisova in Sunday’s doubles after the reverse singles rubbers. Vaidisova celebrates her 15th birthday today and was the most animated player during the ceremony.
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