Fed Cup - Russians, Czechs start well
Russia and the Czech Republic both took control of their Fed Cup World Group first round ties by taking 2-0 leads in Moscow and Stuttgart respectively.
For Russia, Maria Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova recorded straight set victories against Spanish opposition while Iveta Benesova and Petra Kvitova were on song for the Czechs against Germany.
Sharapova, recent finalist at the Australian Open, wasted little time in dismantling Silvia Soler-Espinosa 6-2 6-1 to get Russia off to a good start before Kuznetsova completed a perfect day by beating Carla Suarez Navarro 6-3 6-1.
"It was much tougher to win than it may have appeared looking at the scoreline," Kuznetsova said. "I struggled to acclimatise after coming to snow-covered Moscow from Australia."
"But anyway I managed to play well enough today and I'm pleased both with my performance and with winning an important point for our team."
Benesova fought back from a set down to overcome Sabine Lisicki 2-6 6-4 6-2 and give the Czechs a 1-0 lead in Germany before Kvitova also needed three sets to down Julia Goerges in a memorable 3-6 6-3 10-8 win.
In Charleroi, Belgium had Yanina Wickmayer to thank for levelling their tie with Serbia at 1-1, the world number 29 beating Bojana Jovanovski 6-4 6-4 after Jelena Jankovic had defeated Kirsten Flipkens 7-5 7-5.
And in Biella, Italy were held at one apiece by Ukraine after Lesia Tsurenko stunned Francesca Schiavone 6-1 6-2 to draw level. Earlier Australian Open quarter-finalist Sara Errani beat Kateryna Bondarenko 6-2 6-3.
Comment 1 - 19 of 19
Any tournament either for patriotism or for money is we don't care less. What matters are their specific goals in life is to achieve their dreams and winning in a most prestigious ways. If US accepts her decision to play for Russia, meaning she has valid reason. Sharapova is an asset in her country and prove her worth in standing. Let's see all good players play for Fed Cup and Olympics so we can enjoy more seeded players and more fun to watch. Cheer up guys!
next you'd be telling us that Serena and Venus are AFRICANS playing for America!
From Con, on Sun 5 Feb 6:06PM
------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
THEY ARE you fool. Relating to "genealogy"............Haven't YOU heard of "African Americans" before ???
#15 Con
For the same reason your girl Dokic chooses to play for ???
I really dont know
So you tell me !!
#14 Con
o.k.
Whatever it is that you R trying to tell me
U R RIGHT.
@ Courtney,
here's a serious quastion for you since you brought up the issue of Masha being an American.
Q: Why do you think she chooses to play for Russia instead of the US?
Hey Courtney,
Djokovic is a Monte Carlo Resident but plays for Serbia.
Your point is what exactly?
Take another valium Tablet.
You're too hyped up as usual.
Last time we had a conversation about PATRIOTISM you asked me
"Myskina, Sharapova, Elena, Kuznetsova, Safina, Petrova. HEY CON ! HOW MANY OF THESE GIRLS R STILL LIVING IN RUSSIA ?????
WONNA GUESS WHERE MOST OF THEM R LIVING NOW ???
THERE GOES YOUR THEORY OF PATRIOTISM !!"
From courtney, on Sat 30 Oct 5:07PM
My reply
Here you go Courtney, just because you asked for it!
Ranking, Player, Residence as per WTA Profiles.
09 Dementieva = Monte Carlo
17 Sharapova = Florida
15 Petrova = Miami
63 Safina = Monte Carlo
Dispite their residence Courtney, ALL these girls play FED CUP for their Native & Country of Birth RUSSIA.
But you will stgill of course doubt their Patriotism.
Even today you insist that Masha is an American :)
What a Fool Believes, he sees!
Masha IS and ALWAYS will be RUSSIAN.
It's in the Blood!
trust me, I know Russian Women :)
Hey Con !!
Sharapova is an American resident ????
So calm your nerves
Hey Con
I could do as smoke do and just reply --o.k.
However just in case you did not know --
Serena and Venus are American citizens
Sharapova is also an American citizen !!
Miss Sharapova is class personified.
@4.
Sharapova is an American playing for Russia. !
From courtney, on Sun 5 Feb 2:49PM
Hey Courtney, your comment is so Focking STUPID, next you'd be telling us that Serena and Venus are AFRICANS playing for America!
Back to the lezzie tennis then, good.
It must be as you say. I don't follow that much the Fed Cup, so I can't make any stats about Sharapova's partecipation with Russia.
Anyway, it remains a fact that at this very moment she's the best player Russia has, so even if it's somehow unfair towards the other girls of the team, I don't think that Russian captain will let Sharapova out of the team, because at the end of the day what really matters is winning.
Sharapova has been amongst top players since 2004 so during all these years she has only played 3 matches for Russian Fed Cup and 2/3 matches were before Beijing Olympic.And now before London Olympics she is playing again.Sorry that is no coincidence.And many times when she was healthy enough to play WTA tournaments she has been "injured" and couldn't play for her country.She simply isn't interested in playing Fed Cup-it's her choice and she is entitled to it of course but it's a shame that some player who is playing Fed Cup for Russia all the time will miss out on Olympic place because they will have limited number of players who can play while Sharapova will get to play.That's not fair to other Russian players and nobody is fooled by her sudden desire to play Fed Cup again.I bet she won't play Fed Cup matches ever again after the London Olympics unless she stays on tour for 2016 season.
Happy she can play for Russia !
This brave lioness deserve every oppertunity she can get
She can't play for American you know , so why not play for Russia to qualify for Olympic she has never had the opportunity to be representing Russia. Sharapova has inproved in recent times and deserves her place with fellow Russians.
Sharapova is an American playing for Russia. !
Facts would suggest so, but I think it's a half truth.
Sharapova stated she wanted to play Fed Cup even before 2008, but I've heard the rest of the team hated his father who was coaching them back then so they prefer to have a closer group without her (well, at that time Russia had Kuznetsova, Dementieva, Zvonareva, Chakvetadze who all were Top 5 if I remember well, so they didn't really need Sharapova's presence).
In early 2008 (I think it was in March) Sharapova got injuried and missed most of the season and so she did in 2009, in 2010 she was still recovering from the injury and was playing too bad to be part of the Fed Cup team, especially considering that Russia had other top players. Last year Sharapova played a couple of matches, but she was substituted after a couple of though losses if I'm not wrong.
Right now, Sharapova is by far the best Russian player, having played two finals and a semi in the last four Slams, it would be mental for Russian captain not having her as a part of the team.
Well done Petra-fantastique!
Interestingly how Miss Sharapova discovers her patriotism and her desire to play for Fed Cup mostly only during Olympic years because otherwise she wouldn't be able to play in Olympics despite her ranking because player has to play or show desire to play for Fed Cup to be picked to represent Russia at Olympics.She has been on the tour for many years and has only played three matches for them.And surprise surprise 2/3 of those matches were in 2008 and hm wasn't that the year last Olympic games were held but she couldn't play because of injury.So it's understandable that her fellow Russian players weren't to happy about her Fed Cup tactics in the past.
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