 Photographer: Ron Angle
Date: 13 Jul 2007 |  Photographer: Ron Angle
Date: 13 Jul 2007 |  Photographer: Ron Angle
Date: 13 Jul 2007 |  Photographer: Ron Angle
Date: 13 Jul 2007 |  Photographer: Ron Angle
Date: 13 Jul 2007 |  Photographer: Ron Angle
Date: 13 Jul 2007 |
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| 13 Jul 2007 - The Stadium at Topnotch, Stowe, USA - Craig Gabriel | |
| King gets the nod |
Vania King has been nominated alongside Venus Williams in the USA singles line-up against two-time champion Russia. The full draw is as follows:
Vania King (USA) v Anna Chakvetadze (RUS)
Venus Williams (USA) v Nadia Petrova (RUS)
Venus Williams (USA) v Anna Chakvetadze (RUS)
Vania King (USA) v Nadia Petrova (RUS)
Vania King/Lisa Raymond (USA) v Nadia Petrova/Elena Vesnina(RUS)
High up in the Green Mountain state of Vermont in the New England area of the United States lies the city of Stowe. It’s a beautiful setting that particularly comes to life in autumn when the tress change colour and then again in winter when it becomes a wonderland for skiers.
Now in the middle of summer it is a perfect spot for USA to take on Russia in the semifinals of the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas. While the temperatures soar in other parts of the country, up here it is perfectly mild for this event. This is the sixth time these two nations have met with the Russians scoring their first victory over USA the last time that the two teams met in the 2005 semifinals in Moscow.
“This of course a very important match and of course we want to be in the final,” said Chakvetadze. “It’s a pretty tough match because its against the USA and we are playing here and of course it would be easier for us to play back at home but we will try to do out best and we will see.”
She said it is easier for her to play the first match, at least she knows exactly what time she goes on.
For Petrova it doesn’t matter that she plays second. Her greater experience at this level will be enough to keep her settled. She said it would allow her to adjust to the atmosphere and get her mind into focus and gauge the crowd. She knows it will be very difficult facing Venus Williams who will have the crowd with her even more seeing that she is the new Wimbledon champion.
Williams and Petrova have faced each other three times and Venus has won all the matches. The last time was at Wimbledon in 2003.
“So much has happened since that day at Wimbledon less than a week ago, now we are her at Fed Cup and it seems like ages ago, it’s very exciting and it’s still very fresh in the mind,” said Venus, who laughingly described herself as the ‘Mother Hen’ of the American team.
She added: “I’m looking forward to using all that ability (from Wimbledon) in Fed Cup.
“Each match can be the same but it can also be different, the circumstances are different, we’re playing at altitude, obviously when you are playing someone who is playing for their country it’s a whole another level. In a way it could be more challenging.”
“Yeah it is a tough start to play (Nadia) but I don’t think she has a win against me. I think that will definitely be in her head when she plays against me. It’s another challenge also to win for her country and get her first win against me – I’ll take all that, going into the match.”
The American captain Zina Garrison said she enjoys the responsibility that goes with captaining the Fed Cup team. She says it’s an exceptional time to bring the side together; she says, “it a very special moment”.
“Playing at home is great; considering that out of my five years as captain this is only my third time playing at home so I’m excited and I was excited when I found out the opportunity was there to play two matches at home, but Stowe has really stepped up to the plate, it has been amazing,” Said Garrison.
“I have, all along, been expecting a very strong and interesting tie. One thing about Fed Cup is that anything is possible. There are a lot of times when people play better for their country than on the regular tour so you can’t count anyone out.”
“I have been in predicaments where we have looked good on paper and something totally different happens. That’s the best part about it; allowing yourself to feel the spirit, to feel the people and to go out there and give it your all.”
Related Links on other websites
>Information from USTA
> Information from RTF
Related Links on Fedcup.com
> Tie Information
>Scorecards and stats from this tie
Related audio
 Interview with Venus Williams (USA)
Interview with Nadia Petrova (RUS)
Interview with USA Captain Zina Garrison
Interview with Vania King (USA)
Interview with Anna Chakvetadze (RUS)
 
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