FED CUP 2013 - E/A Zone Group 1: R1 ties - Eilat (Israel) - 6-9 Feb

[Sallydaisy]

http://www.tennisidentity.com/.a/6a00e54fc623c88833013488b64d89970c-200wi
FEDERATION CUP - Europe/Africa Zone Group 1.

Round 1 ties - event information
- Dates: 6-9 February, Play starts on Wednesday 6th February.
- Venue: Municipal Tennis Club
- Location: Eilat, Israel
- Surface: Outdoor hard
- Ball: Wilson US Open
- Start times: 10:00 hrs morning session and 16:00 hrs afternoon session
- Ticket prices: 60 NIS (morning) and 60 NIS (afternoon)
- Ticket websites:
Israel Tennis Association www.ita.one.co.il (http://www.ita.one.co.il/) / Municipality of Eilat www.eilat.muni.il (http://www.eilat.muni.il)

Format - Round-robin basis. Four pools of four teams.
1. The winner in Pool A will Play-off against the winner in Pool C and the winner of Pool B will play-off against the winner of Pool D to determine which two nations will advance to the World Group II play-offs in April 2013.

2. The nations in last place in each pool will play-off to determine which two nations will be relegated to Group II in 2014.

3. All the other nations will compete in the same manner for the positional play-offs.
- Two promoted.
- Two relegated.

4. Zone Group ties are contested in a best-of-three rubbers format and are played on one day. There are two singles followed by a doubles. Due to the multi-nation format, ties take place on successive days.

5. World Group and World Group II Ties are contested in a best-of-five rubbers format and are played over a weekend. There are two singles on Saturday, and then the reverse singles and a doubles on Sunday. The tie is hosted by one of the competing nations.

Teams
There have been a lot of drop outs (mostly top ranked players), top 100 in bold.

POOL A
AUT - Meusburger, Mayr-Achleitner, Rottmann, Klaffner. Jurgen Waber (captain)
BLR - Kremen, Sasnovioch, Dzehalevich, Marozava. Poutchek (captain)
CRO - Vekic, Mrdeza , Konjuh, Jurak. Majoli (captain)
GEO - Shapatava, Kvatsabaia, Gorgodze, Chakhnashvilli (player capt)

POOL B
BIH - Herdzelas, Simic, Kajtazovic, Husaric. captain tbc
GBR - Watson, Robson, Keothavong, Konta, Judy Murray (capt)
HUN - Babos, Arn, Jani, Marosi, Baratosi (capt)
POR - Larcher De Brito, Moura, Luz, Costa. Cordeiro (capt)

POOL C
ISR - Peer, Glushko, Shlomo, Patiuk, Amos Mansdorf (captain)
POL - A Radwanska, U Radwanska, Kania, Rosolska, Wiktorowski (cap)
ROU - Cirstea, Halep, Begu, Mitu, Comanescu (captain)
TUR - Buyukakcay, Ozgen , Eraydin, Soylu, Ali Gorec (captain)

POOL D
BUL - Pironkova (WR42), Kostova (WR252), Evitimova, Shinikova. Dora Rangelova (captain)
LUX - Kremer (WR 509), Schaul (WR 774), Correia, Cornelius. Frank Eicher (capt)
NED - Rus, Hogenkamp, Schoofs, van der Meet. Bollegraf (captain)
SLO - Kolar, Klepac, Srimpf, Rupert. Tina Pisnik (captain)

Out 5/2/13, replacements tba

[Sallydaisy]

Crikey, this is only a month away. Here's the GB team:-

Heather Watson
Laura Robson
Anne Keothavong
Johanna Konta - nice to see her being called up!

Bally is obviously out of the frame as she's still working her way back to full fitness. All the other ladies are in Australia hoping first to do well at the AO Grand Slam. Judy is there too so I'm sure there's plenty of 'pre-Fed' banter!


Alexandra Willis ‏@alex_willis (https://twitter.com/alex_willis) GB Fed Cup team announced - @JoKonta91 (https://twitter.com/JoKonta91) earns a call up to join @heatherwatson92 (https://twitter.com/HeatherWatson92), @laurarobson5 (https://twitter.com/laurarobson5) & @annekeothavong (https://twitter.com/annekeothavong), captained by @judmoo (https://twitter.com/judmoo)

[cazza99]

judy murray ‏@judmoo

Fed Cup draw threw us Hungary, Bosnia and Portugal......Euro Africa Zone 1, Eilat, Feb 6-9. Come n support the GB laydees. If u dare :-).

[david1610]

Portugal likely to be better this time round - Maria João Koehler looked good this week, only narrowly going out to Jelena Jankovic in three sets and was a couple of points away from winning. Heather or Laura will need to be on good form there.
And Michelle Larcher Brito screecher has faded away though still has the potential....


And of course Judy has some selection issues. Heather and Laura should be the ones playing the singles. Or is there an easy singles tie that Anne can be given as a "token singles". OR does she use Joanna and Anne for doubles if it is a dead rubber. Or - and I do not know the rules - if there is a tie at the end of the group - is the winner decided by head-to-head result(s) or match win countbacks.

Or does there have to be a "squad rotation" policy. OR rewarding Anne's loyalty over the years. Tricky....

[Sallydaisy]

GB has been drawn in Pool B with Portugal, Hungary and Bosnia/Hercegovina.
See the first post for format/other Pool and Team details.

These are the teams:
BIH - Herdzelas, Simic, Kajtazovic, Husaric UNR, captain tbc
GBR - Watson WR49, Robson WR53, Keothavong WR143, Konta WR156, Judy Murray (capt)
HUN - Babos WR 67, Arn WR 116, Jani WR 332, Baratosi, Baratosi (capt)
POR - Koehler WR129, Larcher De Brito WR130, Moura WR858, Luz WR875, Cordeiro (capt)

[cazza99]

judy murray ‏@judmoo

6am bus to Heathrow with my team of zombies. I'm wide awake (of course). 1 of them said "I wish u had a mute button!". No respect. #FedCup

[Sallydaisy]

I've updated the teams in the first post; over the last 2 days a lot of top players have dropped out. Group C now has as many top 100 players as all the others put together!

More Fed Cup related tweets from Judy and the GBR team!
She's not down to play but Bally is out there with the girlls.
:thumbup:

judy murray ‏@judmoo (https://twitter.com/judmoo)
Thank you Benefit Cosmetics for the monster supply of make up for the Fed Cup.
What exactly r u trying to tell me? :-)

Healthy breakfast. Porridge n strawberries. Obviously its not mine .....:-)
#FedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23FedCup&src=hash) pic.twitter.com/iBHavbuK (http://t.co/iBHavbuK)

I'm not sure the lounge at TelAviv airport is cutting it for me.
Dates n figs? I mean where's the kettle chips? pic.twitter.com/3GXilCib (http://t.co/3GXilCib)

@tamira1990 (https://twitter.com/tamira1990) its nice n sunny in Eilat. Where r u? :)

@tamira1990 (https://twitter.com/tamira1990) but of course I do. We can have Spectacle Wars next time I see u.
I'll send u a pic of my latest ones. Outrageously good.

[Sallydaisy]

Fed Cup - if you're on twitter you can ask questions of the team!!!

British Tennis ‏@BritishTennis (https://twitter.com/BritishTennis) Got a question for the GB @FedCup (https://twitter.com/FedCup) team? We're out in Israel with Judy, Heather, Laura, Anne, Jo and Bally.
Send them in now using #GBfedcup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GBfedcup&src=hash)



Fed Cup updates from the British Tennis twitter feed:-

British Tennis ‏@BritishTennis (https://twitter.com/BritishTennis)
TeamGB have arrived in Eilat for #FedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23FedCup&src=hash) http://yfrog.com/oberylxj (http://t.co/SwoLJ0xk)
Buffet was closing (we are two hours ahead of Uk) so we had to drop the bags and run!
http://yfrog.com/gz1palzj (http://t.co/MvKFh89l)

TeamGB waiting for the bus. When we got on the driver asked us courts or airport.
Courts definitely! http://yfrog.com/h6kp7pmj (http://t.co/QlXW2ESS)

Finished first TeamGB practice for #FedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23FedCup&src=hash) on a beautiful sunny morning.
Check out @annekeothavong (https://twitter.com/annekeothavong) and @jokonta91 (https://twitter.com/JoKonta91) here http://yfrog.com/nufjxtlj (http://t.co/1XR14cB6)

https://yfrog.com/nufjxtlj:iphone

[cazza99]

British Tennis ‏@BritishTennis


Watch this video for the answer: http://youtu.be/h1B9c7y0xEY RT: Guess the animal is drawn by @HeatherWatson92 ??? http://yfrog.com/khz77eej

[Sallydaisy]

Fed Cup update:

GBR play Bosnia/Herzegovina on Wed, Portugal on Thurs and Hungary on Fri.
www.tennisforum.com have a thread and that's where (http://www.tennisforum.com/showpost.php?p=24040217&postcount=161) the OOP is to be found + hopefully information on livescores/livestreams.

The Federation Cup website has an interview (http://www.fedcup.com/en/news/articles/murray-pleased-with-zone-group-draw.aspx)with Judy - pictured here.

http://www.fedcup.com/ITF/Plugins/ImageGen/ImageGen.ashx?image=/media/138964/138964_BigPicture.jpg&constrain=True&height=293&width=520


judy murray ‏@judmoo (https://twitter.com/judmoo)

Hilarious game of pictionary in GB team rm 2nite.
This is Leonardo da Robbo's attempt at drawing Luke Donald. #FedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23FedCup&src=hash) pic.twitter.com/RoKqpSqf (http://t.co/RoKqpSqf)

"@BritishTennis (https://twitter.com/BritishTennis): Guess what this animal is drawn by @HeatherWatson92 (https://twitter.com/HeatherWatson92) ???
http://yfrog.com/khz77eej (http://t.co/Vg5Pehss)" its a bird!!!.+ guessed correctly by @judmoo (https://twitter.com/judmoo)

@izzywallace96 (https://twitter.com/izzywallace96) what a great week Izzy. Well done. Keep working hard.
Good things will happen :). From Fed Cuppers in Eilat xxxxx

Looking over the Red Sea onto the mountains of Jordan. No, not her.
#FedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23FedCup&src=hash) pic.twitter.com/YdtMMUWH (http://t.co/YdtMMUWH)

Tiger Tuesday? #GBfedcup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GBfedcup&src=hash) pic.twitter.com/d8f4Xln4 (http://t.co/d8f4Xln4)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCU4WyTCYAA6AbP.jpg


GB Team conquers hotel roof. #FedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23FedCup&src=hash) pic.twitter.com/ACj5SqqR (http://t.co/ACj5SqqR)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCVOtIBCIAAN6KL.jpg


Jonathan Overend ‏@5livetennis (https://twitter.com/5livetennis)
Good luck to GB Fed Cup team in Israel this week.
Some good stuff coming up on @BBCSport (https://twitter.com/BBCSport) website over next few days.

[Sallydaisy]

Sorry for the image size, it's all I can find.

http://www.ita.co.il/uploads/image/Schedulefed2013.jpg

[Sallydaisy]

It looks as though the first 2 matches tomorrow are these:-

BiH vs. GBR
Dea Herdželaš - Laura Robson
Anita Husarić - Heather Watson

The Bosnian girls are outside the top 1000 in seniors and outside the top 75 in juniors.
;)

[Sallydaisy]

Great photo of the girls!


judy murray ‏@judmoo (https://twitter.com/judmoo) Line dancing? #GBfedcup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GBfedcup&src=hash) pic.twitter.com/A4Ov8N1B (http://t.co/A4Ov8N1B)



https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCWifBqCMAE16rM.jpg

[david1610]

Thank you Sally. Looks like an ideal start. And if presumably their doubles ranking are also not so good, it might be a good opportunity to play Johanna and Anne in the doubles so everybody gets a workout on the final day.
I cannot remember but presumably the group result is ultimately determined on countback if there are two or more teams with the same number of victories after the three matches. I suppose the Portugal tie is a bit more complicated as one slip up in the singles and the doubles remains live and then there will be a strong argument to put Laura and Heather in. The result of Hungary - Portugal might factor in to that.
But all in all it is certainly a good way to acclimatise! C'mon GB!

[Sallydaisy]

It's quite good they've got the 'weaker' team (on paper!) first so they can play themselves in. I think Hungary could be the trickiest team to face and they're last so presumably the girls will know exactly what they have to do to go through to the next stage. Not underestimating Portugal of course ...

Bally is blogging from Eilat!!!

British Tennis ‏@BritishTennis (https://twitter.com/BritishTennis) GB's @ElenaBaltacha (https://twitter.com/ElenaBaltacha) is blogging for @judmoo (https://twitter.com/judmoo)'s Aegon GB @FedCup (https://twitter.com/FedCup) Team in Israel ahead of their first tie tomorrow. Read: http://goo.gl/odSgJ (http://t.co/Mmsc7bRF)


Here's the opening paragraph:

Another Fed Cup campaign here we come. Although I’m not officially a playing member of the team, for Anne and myself, we are starting to feel like a pair of old grannies compared to Hev, Laura and Joko, but let me tell you there’s a lot to be said for experience! You can’t buy that.
;)

[Sallydaisy]

Glamour girls .....


Laura Robson ‏@laurarobson5 (https://twitter.com/laurarobson5) Heather and I are ready for the team Fed Cup dinner. #boom (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23boom&src=hash) http://instagr.am/p/VW3u3ctAJR/ (http://t.co/rgZn6cRi)

+++

British Tennis ‏@BritishTennis (https://twitter.com/BritishTennis) #GBfedcup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GBfedcup&src=hash) looking gorgeous striking a pose in @LKBennettOnline (https://twitter.com/LKBennettOnline) dresses prior to Wednesday's opener v Bosnia http://yfrog.com/obsyrfekj (http://t.co/cFmbl2jQ)

https://yfrog.com/obsyrfekj:iphone

judy murray ‏@judmoo (https://twitter.com/judmoo) Ladies In Red. GB best looking team in Eilat. No question. #FedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23FedCup&src=hash) pic.twitter.com/hNEEfU62 (http://t.co/hNEEfU62)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCW8jA3CQAA0Tf0.jpg




... as are the Dutch!


Fed Cup ‏@FedCup (https://twitter.com/FedCup) Netherlands looking smart!RT @KNLTB (https://twitter.com/KNLTB) Official dinner staat op het punt te beginnen onze dames zijn ook hier klaar voor pic.twitter.com/qKFxXemX (http://t.co/qKFxXemX)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCW0ZbRCIAER13i.jpg

[pabbers]

It looks as though the first 2 matches tomorrow are these:-

BiH vs. GBR
Dea Herdželaš - Laura Robson
Anita Husarić - Heather Watson

The Bosnian girls are outside the top 1000 in seniors and outside the top 75 in juniors.
;)

No pressure then.

Must say Laura looks quite the model. Not sure about Hev's shoes with that dress though..........hmmmm think I'd better take myself off to the shallow thread.

[Linda]

I noticed the shoes too. Definitely the nude shoes work best with the dress. The blue is really strange!

[david1610]

At the risk of sounding like a party pooper Judy would be within her rights to ban high heels before the tournament starts!

[Linda]

Hallo GUB - haven't seen you for ages - how are you?

[Sallydaisy]

Bear in mind that the 09.30 start time tomorrow is local time in Israel; our girls will be in action from 07.30 UK time. There is now a livescore link here http://67.231.107.53/widgets/fedcup.aspx?id=8BB21915-9AC9-4A96-98E5-D221E7443285 and hopefully some livestreams if GBR are on a televised court.

[Linda]

No play so far today due to rain.

[Sallydaisy]

No play so far today due to rain.
Latest estimate is for play to start at 14.00 local, 12noon UK time.
Time to do some chores ...

[Linda]

It's stopped raining!

[Sallydaisy]

GBR will not play today:

British Tennis ‏@BritishTennis (https://twitter.com/BritishTennis) #GBfedcup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GBfedcup&src=hash) team been told tie vs. Bosnia cancelled for today and will be on at 930am 2moro.
Will mean potential Sunday play off now.


The night session is going ahead as planned but it looks as though they'll have to re-schedule everything after that.

[Sallydaisy]

FEDERATION CUP, EA Zone Group I
Revised Schedule

Wednesday 6 February
Morning session - CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN
Afternoon session - not before 16:00 (14:00 GMT)
- Belarus v Georgia
- Austria v Croatia
- Israel v Turkey
- Romania v Poland

Thursday 7 February
Morning session - 09:30 (07:30 GMT)
- Great Britain v Bosnia/Herzegovina
- Portugal v Hungary
- Slovenia v Luxembourg
- Netherlands v Bulgaria
Afternoon session - 15:30 (13:30 GMT)
- Belarus v Austria
- Croatia v Georgia
- Romania v Israel
- Poland v Turkey

Friday 8 February
Morning session - 09:30 (07:30 GMT)
- Great Britain v Portugal
- Hungary v Bosnia/Herzegovina
- Slovenia v Netherlands
- Bulgaria v Luxembourg
Afternoon session - 15:30 (13:30 GMT)
- Belarus v Croatia
- Georgia v Austria
- Poland v Israel
- Romania v Turkey

Saturday 9 February
Morning session - 09:30 (07:30 GMT)
- Great Britain v Hungary
- Portugal v Bosnia/Herzegovina
- Slovenia v Bulgaria
- Luxembourg v Netherlands
Afternoon session - Group Play-offs 15:30 (13:30 GMT)
- Winner Pool A v Winner Pool C
- Second place Pool A v Second place Pool C
- Fourth place Pool A v Fourth place Pool C
- Third place Pool A v Third place Pool C

Sunday 10 February
Morning session - Group Play-offs 09:30 (07:30 GMT)
- Winner Pool B v Winner Pool D
- Second place Pool D v Second place Pool B
- Fourth place Pool B v Fourth place Pool D
- Third place Pool B v Third place Pool D

Teams

POOL A
AUT BLR CRO GEO
POOL B
BIH GBR HUN POR
POOL C
ISR POL ROU TUR
POOL D
BUL LUX NED SLO

[david1610]

Just realised (doh!) Romania are playing Poland in the same group. That should eliminate one serious competitor for the play offs at least. Was it 16 draw into groups out of a hat, without any seeding?

Edit doh! part 2 Winners of B play winners of D - there are no teams in D with two players in the top 100. GB potentially avoid Poland and Romania anyway!

[david1610]

I noticed the shoes too. Definitely the nude shoes work best with the dress. The blue is really strange!
FWIW the shoes are different in the photo at http://www.facebook.com/heatherwatsontennis

[cazza99]

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/21341505) - Fed Cup column: Heather Watson targets GB promotion

British Tennis ‏@BritishTennis

COMPETITION:Guess the GB @FedCup team members' shoes! Tweet an answer using #whoseshoes. Prize: Signed GB FC shirt http://twitpic.com/c1c1ek

[david1610]

Interesting... Judy selected Anne K for first match... currently 6-4 and 5-2 , 30-0
Job done 6-4 6-2
Interesting that Portugal played first rubber with Barbara Luz - that suggests either Larcher de Brito or Maria J. Koehler might be injured, and so much weaker.

[hfwardhouse]

:cheer: good start and well done Annie!

[Sallydaisy]

Well done Anne!
:cheer:
Bit of a stuttery start but her experience told over the 16yr old from Bosnia.
Livescores are here (http://67.231.107.53/widgets/fedcup.aspx?id=8BB21915-9AC9-4A96-98E5-D221E7443285) - takes a few mins to load up!!!

Heather is on court against Husaric; our lass is already a break to the good and the Bosnian is serving to stay in the first set at *3-5.

EDIT: and Hev breaks again to take the first 6'3.


Interesting that Portugal played first rubber with Barbara Luz - that suggests either Larcher de Brito or Maria J. Koehler might be injured, and so much weaker.
Koehler has already withdrawn; this is the final team nomination (see 1st post of this thread for t'others). POR - Larcher De Brito, Moura, Luz, Costa. Cordeiro (capt)

[david1610]

Hungary won the first rubber unsurprisingly against Hungary, but Larcher (Screecher) de Brito is a set up and on serve at 6-3 4-4 against Timea Babos.

No live streams I suppose. There were last year on Israeli TV, weren't there?
Heather really struggled to hold there. 6-3 and 3-2. Would be good to get a break and hold now before the other girl gets ideas above her ranking!
Meanwhile de Brito (ranked 130) and Babos (around 70) 5-5 in second set.

[Sallydaisy]

Hungary won the first rubber unsurprisingly against Hungary, but Larcher (Screecher) de Brito is a set up and on serve at 6-3 4-4 against Timea Babos.

No live streams I suppose. There were last year on Israeli TV, weren't there?
I think there might be a livestream - just searching for it via various forums.

[david1610]

Heather is 6-3 and 3-4 with her opponent doing well in the last few games. Has to use her experience and try and win these two games and avoid a dog fight!
But opponent holds to love for the second successive game.
Babos has three set points.... and takes the first.

[Sallydaisy]

Hmm, no streams found as yet.
This Bosnian is playing tough; has just held for 4-4 in the 2nd set.
Hev to serve next - could do with a hold and a break to wrap this up!

[david1610]

The Bosnian is ranked outside the top 1000 but is 18 with few ITF matches. Perhaps she has not yet had the chances to show her potential. But we do not want her to show it today! 5-4 Heather. One game! C'mon Heather.

[david1610]

15-40 Two MPs for Heather.
And she wins 6-3 and 6-4. Looks like she played the big points well enough! :)

[patmoren]

What a great start for GB 2-0

[Sallydaisy]

I think this means the doubles will be at 11.00 UK time?
Good Luck to Laura and JoKo!
:thumbup:

British Tennis ‏@BritishTennis (https://twitter.com/BritishTennis) #GBFedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GBFedCup&src=hash) next up doubles with @jokonta91 (https://twitter.com/JoKonta91) and @laurarobson5 (https://twitter.com/laurarobson5) at 1pm



Well done Hev; didn't dominate but got some useful match practice in.
;)

#GBFedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GBFedCup&src=hash) quote @HeatherWatson92 (https://twitter.com/HeatherWatson92): Glad to get through that one. 1st matches are never easy, perhaps a bit of nerves, hopefully better 2moro.

[david1610]

Distinct possibility of bread products. GB up 5-0 in first set of doubles.

[Sallydaisy]

1 bagel in the bag and maybe another to come?
:bakery:

GBR leading the doubles 6-0, 3-0
;)

[Sallydaisy]

Double-bagel in the Doubles!!!

Konta/Robson seal the GBR win over BIH 6'0, 6'0 and the tie 3-0.

:bravo:

[david1610]

They won 52 out of 69 points!
Must have been a very nice work out for the pair and to allow Laura to check her shoulder and Johanna to get over any nerves in representing GB!

Satisfactory day's work. Everyone got a work out, no real scares and Judy will have had the chance to see everybody in action.

[Sallydaisy]

@IanChadTele (https://twitter.com/IanChadTele) @FedCup (https://twitter.com/FedCup)
Here are some hardcore British #FedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23FedCup&src=hash) fans in Eilat. http://twitpic.com/c1kzc2 (http://t.co/QqDtofBE)

https://o.twimg.com/1/proxy.jpg?t=FQQVBBgpaHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0cGljLmNvbS9zaG 93L2xhcmdlL2Mxa3pjMi5qcGcUAhYAEgA&s=Q0jS6WPfGdoVM1DVikzzJbaWH7A9xNTAaW7gVXF-BkA

[Jan]

nice wins girls :thumbup:

[patmoren]

Brilliant start for GB helped me with my painting no end!!

[karanga]

Brilliant girls. :bravo:

[Linda]

Well done girls! :bravo:

[JAMES4578]

Convincing wins, great stuff!:cheer::cheer::cheer:

[supergran]

Fantastic win for our girls!!:GBflag::clap:

[Jan]

Laura has just beaten Margarida Moura (Portugal) 6-2 6-1 :clap::clap:

[david1610]

Just seen that before Laura, Heather had lost to Larcher de Brito 6-1 6-4
So it is all on the doubles now! Hungary 2-0 up on BiH

Edit Bulgaria 2-0 up in group D so they have already won two matches in group D and looking very strong to be the opponents in the next round of the winners of Group B.

[david1610]

According to the order of play the decisive doubles pairing will be Laura and Johanna against Larcher de Brito and Vale Costa. Bit more pressure for Johanna now. Interesting decision given Heather is world ranked 41 in doubles.
PS As well as the normal points breakdown, this site also offers the score cards, which I cannot remember seeing before online. http://67.231.107.53/widgets/fedcup.aspx?id=8BB21915-9AC9-4A96-98E5-D221E7443285 You can choose statistics or scorecard. Presumably it is wiped out with the next-day matches.

Edit Vale Costa is 17 and does not have a singles ranking but she does for doubles - 721 - and won a $10,000 doubles title last year.

C'mon GB!

[patmoren]

Heather wasn't on form today, having difficulty holding her serve and only started to get on top of De Brito's serve towards the end.
Hope Laura and Jo can come up with the goods in the doubles.

[Sallydaisy]

It isn't Laura and Jo in the doubles. The scoreboard shows that it's Robson/Watson.

Which is good news because Heather is by far our best doubles player. Hoping that the combination of Laura's serve and hard hitting and Hev's grit and better play at the net will see us through this match.

I suspect Heather wanted to get back out on court and show her mettle!
Fingers crossed ........

I can't follow so much today 'cos I've got other stuff to do.

[Linda]

Come on Laura and Hev! :swingin:

They have a break already! :cheer:

Anyone know which one served first?

[david1610]

Ah! Judy has changed and put Heather in with Laura after all. But the official site order of play did not have her down in the order of play. Judy clearly had to make a change as it is a live rubber.
Girls have gone out to a 4-1 lead with one break of service.

[Linda]

Yay! First set 6-2 :cheer:

[david1610]

First set GB 6-2.
Interesting that Hungary have put Marosi, one of their subs, into the doubles along with Babos. It was a dead rubber for them leading 2-0 so presumbably saving their second player Arn, who is 32 / 33, for the tie with GB tomorrow.

[Linda]

And an early break in the 2nd! :cheer: Oh but in trouble on serve now :sofa: Aaargh back on serve :sad:

A break up again! :cheer: Now hold please!

[Sallydaisy]

Another break (make that 2!) and our girls are serving for the match 6'2, 5'1.

[Linda]

Held and another break up now :cheer: They will serve for the match :swingin:

[Linda]

Had an MP but now back to deuce. Come on girls! Aaargh and ad to the others :sad:

Deuce. Come on!

MP again!

Back to deuce again!

[Sallydaisy]

The girls had 30-0, then 30-30, then 40-30, deuce, Ad against (gulp!!!).
Back to deuce.
Ad to GBR.

[Sallydaisy]

:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:

They win 6'2, 6'1 and that's 2-1 against Portugal.

[Linda]

They won 6-2 6-1 :yahoo:

[david1610]

Well done GB!
Judy has a bit of thinking to do for tomorrow now.
I hope she puts Laura in as No. 1 against Babos (Heather beat Babos in Thailand, but Babos retired midway through the second set) and then presumably Heather against Arn (who finished 2011 ranked 64). Then she can see the score and choose the doubles pairing.
Or do the match styles make a difference?
Either way, one, possibly two much, much tougher days ahead.
C'mon GB!

[Sallydaisy]

Today's results, and current standings, for Groups B and D are at the bottom of this page.
http://www.fedcup.com/en/results/group-i/europe-africa/2013.aspx

GBR will have to beat Hungary outright to be guaranteed of winning Group B because both teams have won 2 rubbers already with GBR 3-0 and 2-1 and HUN 3-0 and 2-0.

If we managed that we then face the winners of Group D where the winner could be decided on the outcome of Slovena v Bulgaria tomorrow. If Slovenia beat Bulgaria and Netherlands beats Luxembourg it could become complicated in that group. I'm not sure how the countback works in Fed Cup where 3 teams are tied on 2-1 wins.


1. The winner in Pool A will Play-off against the winner in Pool C and the winner of Pool B will play-off against the winner of Pool D to determine which two nations will advance to the World Group II play-offs in April 2013.

[david1610]

I would be amazed if Bulgaria do not beat Slovenia, unless it was due to injury or sickness. But that is the beauty of sport I suppose!

[Jan62]

Well done girls. Its going to be tough against Hungary, but c'mon GB - you can do it!

[david1610]

Interviews with Judy and Heather after match play day one available here....
http://www.fedcup.com/en/news/articles/feb-2013-europeafrica-zone-group-i-thursday.aspx

[patmoren]

Another great day for Team GB, Heather a bit wobbly at times but they got the win. 5-1 total so far

[cazza99]

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/21343055) - Fed Cup column: Johanna Konta on her dream Great Britain debut

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/21343170) - Fed Cup column: Laura Robson on helping Britain beat Portugal

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/21381454)- Fed Cup: Great Britain beat Portugal to maintain run

[JAMES4578]

Well done Laura and Jo, great stuff! Didn't go quite so well for Heather but sure she can regroup. All the best against Hungary!

[cazza99]

British Tennis ‏@BritishTennis


VIDEO: Who would be @annekeothavong 's valentine? Find the answer to this & more with @laurarobson5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWGKLEmpITI … #GBFedCup


VIDEO: @heatherwatson92 puts the questions to @ElenaBaltacha in this latest video from #GBFedCup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_Hg1_qyUQk …


VIDEO: What's @jokonta91 favourite shop? Answers to this & more as @judmoo poses the questions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygKseIbHoUI … #GBFedCup @Waterstones



VIDEO: @LauraRobson5 answers questions from @AegonUK @FedCup team mate @annekeothavong: http://ow.ly/hyafB #GBFedCup


VIDEO: Find out some of @HeatherWatson92 's favourite things in this video with @ElenaBaltacha http://ow.ly/hycw2 #GBFedCup

[david1610]

Interesting.... The Live Scoreboard has Laura v. Greta Arn as the first match, then Order of play gives Heather v. Timea Babos and Heather and Laura in the doubles against Babos and Marosi.
C'mon GB!

[MurrayAOne]

Does anyone have a stream for this?

[MurrayAOne]

Couple of game points for Laura. Come oooooooooon!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jan]

Does anyone have a stream for this?

I don't think there is one.

Hope Laura's shoulder holds up.

[MurrayAOne]

Yeeeeeeees! Second set to GB 6-2!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well in Laura!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MurrayAOne]

I don't think there is one.

Hope Laura's shoulder holds up.

I didn't realise she was having trouble with it. Just won second set 6-2 so she's doing great!!!

[Jan]

I didn't realise she was having trouble with it. Just won second set 6-2 so she's doing great!!!
apparently she had some treatment on it at the end of the first set

and she's got a break in the 3rd! come on Laura!

[MurrayAOne]

4-0 up!!! Take them all Laura!!!!!!!!!

[MurrayAOne]

Make that 5!!!!!!!!!!

[MurrayAOne]

Yeeeeeeeees!!!!!!!!!!!1 Laura wins final set!!!! Come ooooooooon!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[david1610]

Well done Laura!

[david1610]

Heather got an early break and held it and got another to go 3-0 up in the first set. C'mon Heather!

[Jan]

well fought Laura!

Hev is a break up against Babos *3-0

[Sallydaisy]

Well done Laura!
:bravo:

The shoulder has been an ongoing problem since the first tournament of the year in China.
Looks as though she's doing fine with it though.

Hev is 3-0 up, first set, on Timea Babos!
:dance:

[david1610]

Now 3-2 Big service game coming up. C'mon Heather!

[Sallydaisy]

Hmmm, Tim broke Hev's service in game 4 and then held but our Brit is still a break up and serving at *3-2. C'mon Heather!!!

:swingin:

[Sallydaisy]

Yay! Hev broke Timea to take the first set 6'3 and will serve first in the 2nd.
:thumbup:

[Jan]

well done Hev - keep going!!!

[hfwardhouse]

Ooooh c'mon Hev!!!

[Sallydaisy]

Group D winners are Bulgaria so that's who GBR will play if we win against Hungary.

Fed Cup ‏@FedCup (https://twitter.com/FedCup) Bulgaria has reached the play-offs in Eilat after beating Slovenia 2-0 on Sat.
@TPironkova (https://twitter.com/TPironkova)'s opponent retired after only 6 minutes.

[Sallydaisy]

Heather has an early break in the 2nd set; serving at *2-0 up!

:thumbup:

[Hawkeye]

Another one in the bag, 6-3 6-2!

[Sallydaisy]

:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:

Heather wins 6'3, 6'2 after breaking Timea in the last game of the match.

GBR are through to the play-offs!!!
Where we'll meet Bulgaria ...

[Jan]

brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sallydaisy]

Can't complete this until the other Group B and D matches are finished today ...

Promotional Play-Off; winners play in WGII p/offs in April.
http://www.fedcup.com/ITF/Images/pixel.gifCroatia v http://www.fedcup.com/ITF/Images/pixel.gifPoland
Great Britain v Hungary

5th to 8th Play-off
http://www.fedcup.com/ITF/Images/pixel.gifBelarus v http://www.fedcup.com/ITF/Images/pixel.gifIsrael
- v -

9th to 12th Play-off
http://www.fedcup.com/ITF/Images/pixel.gifAustria v http://www.fedcup.com/ITF/Images/pixel.gifRomania
- v -

Relegation Play-off; winners stay in EAZI, losers drop to EAZII
http://www.fedcup.com/ITF/Images/pixel.gifGeorgia v http://www.fedcup.com/ITF/Images/pixel.gifTurkey
- v -

[Sallydaisy]

Sunday is going to be exciting!
:dance:

If we win our Euro/Africa Zone 1 match v Bulgaria we'd go on to the World Group II
promotional ties which are held w/e 20/21 April (2 weeks after the Davis Cup).
There are 8 teams involved in this stage (world rankings in brackets) and, as far as I can
make out from the Fed Cup site, would comprise:-

4 teams promoted from Zonal Group I (best of 3 set matches)
EAZI (played in Israel) - 2 winning teams from:
Great Britain (18) vs Bulgaria (39)
Croatia (40) vs Poland (23)
AmZ1 (played in Colombia, outdoor, clay) - winner of Canada (21) vs Brazil (31)
AsZ1 (played in Kazakhstan, indoor, hard)- winner of Kazakhstan (24) vs Uzbekistan (41)

4 losing teams from the WGII ties* being played (http://www.fedcup.com/en/results/world-group-ii.aspx) Sat 9th/Sun 10th February
See home page for livescore links http://www.fedcup.com/en/home.aspx

Host team v away team
Switzerland (14) vs Belgium (9) (Bern, indoor, clay)
Argentina (15) vs Sweden (12) (Buenos Aires, oudoor, clay)
Spain (13) vs Ukraine (11) (Alicante, outdoor, clay)
France (16) vs Germany (10) (Limoges, indoor, clay)

*Some notes on World Groups i & II format
Ties are contested in a best-of-five rubbers format and are played over a weekend.
There are two singles on Saturday, and then the reverse singles and a doubles on Sunday.

The tie is hosted by one of the competing nations.
The host nation is decided depending on where the two competing teams played their most recent tie against each other. If a nation had home advantage last time then it will be away next time, and vice versa. If the nations have never previously met, or if they faced each other at a neutral venue, then the choice of ground is decided by lot.

The rankings will be updated next week after all the ties are completed (not sure how that is worked out but see here (http://www.fedcup.com/en/rankings/rankings-explained.aspx)) so GBR could possibly move up from 18th.

Whisper it quietly ... there's a chance we'd have a home tie in April ...
:cauldron:

[david1610]

Well done. Whatever Heather was not doing yesterday, she managed to do it today against a tricky opponet.
Will be very interested in hearing an interview from Laura some comments on her match! I see she is playing the doubles which is a dead rubber so that does not suggest should problems. Perhaps it was just one of those things.

Edit: Interesting photo of Judy and Heather at http://67.231.107.53/widgets/fedcup.aspx?id=8BB21915-9AC9-4A96-98E5-D221E7443285 entitled "Captain Love".

[cazza99]

Well done girls :clap: :clap:

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/21394246) - Fed Cup: Laura Robson & Heather Watson win as GB beat Hungary

[JAMES4578]

Fabulous, Well done Heather and Laura! :clap::clap::clap:

[Sallydaisy]

GBR lose the doubles to HUN but we're still through to play Bulgaria tomorrow.
:thumbup:

[Sallydaisy]

which is a dead rubber so that does not suggest should problems. Perhaps it was just one of those things.

Laura picked up the shoulder injury during practice in the first Friday of the Australian Open. After losing to Sloane Stephens in R3 she withdrew from her next tourney and there was concern about whether she'd be OK to play Fed Cup at all. That's perhaps why Judy put her in to play the doubles on day 1 to see how things were before putting her in to play the singles on days 2 and 3.

Wonder who Judy will put in to bat tomorrow?

I reckon Hev first, then Laura and probably Hev in the doubles + ???

Previous history details from Steven:

Steven ‏@GBtennis (https://twitter.com/GBtennis) GB have played Bulgaria 5 times before = H2H 3-2, GB lost in 1984 & 1985 to the Maleevas but won in 1999, 2006 & 2007 #GBFedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GBFedCup&src=hash)
#GBFedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GBFedCup&src=hash) team can expect some good Bulgar-bashing tips from @ElenaBaltacha (https://twitter.com/ElenaBaltacha), 4-0 (S 2-0/D 2-0) v BUL in 2006-7 when Bulgaria were

[david1610]

Laura picked up the shoulder injury during practice in the first Friday of the Australian Open. After losing to Sloane Stephens in R3 she withdrew from her next tourney and there was concern about whether she'd be OK to play Fed Cup at all. That's perhaps why Judy put her in to play the doubles on day 1 to see how things were before putting her in to play the singles on days 2 and 3.

Wonder who Judy will put in to bat tomorrow?

I reckon Hev first, then Laura and probably Hev in the doubles + ???

Previous history details from Steven:

I know about the shoulder problem Sally. My point was trying to work out why she then played the doubles today when surely if there was any doubt she would have been rested, especially for a dead rubber!
The top two Bulgarians have rankings of around 40 and around 250. One of those is on paper much easier, so I wonder who will be given the harder and the easier tie (if they can choose of course -not sure if Judy chooses blind or if the Bulgarian no. 40 has to be the first on court).

[Sallydaisy]

I know about the shoulder problem Sally. My point was trying to work out why she then played the doubles today when surely if there was any doubt she would have been rested, especially for a dead rubber!
OK'ies, I hadn't been sure from your post.
:thumbup:

The top two Bulgarians have rankings of around 40 and around 250. One of those is on paper much easier, so I wonder who will be given the harder and the easier tie (if they can choose of course -not sure if Judy chooses blind or if the Bulgarian no. 40 has to be the first on court).
I don't know how it's decided either but I'm guessing it'll be buried in the Rules somewhere.
DC is slighly simpler, or at least consistent, in setting out the order of how the rubbers are played.

[MurrayAOne]

Do we play at the same time tomorrow does anyone know? Also wondered if there might be a stream. Would love to watch. Otherwise it's staring at numbers willing them to change the right way!

[patmoren]

I think it said 7.30 am again tomorrow, been out all day and only just returned home so haven't checked on the website.

[Sallydaisy]

Do we play at the same time tomorrow does anyone know? Also wondered if there might be a stream. Would love to watch. Otherwise it's staring at numbers willing them to change the right way!

It's definitely 07.30 UK time - there was a revised schedule copied here (http://www.andymurrayfanforum.com/forums/showthread.php?1633-FEDERATION-CUP-2013-E-A-Zone-Group-1.-Round-1-ties-Eilat-Israel-6-9-February-2013&p=124246&viewfull=1#post124246).

Sunday 10 February
Morning session - Group Play-offs 09:30 (07:30 GMT)
- Winner Pool B v Winner Pool D
- Second place Pool D v Second place Pool B
- Fourth place Pool B v Fourth place Pool D
- Third place Pool B v Third place Pool D

Not sure if there will be an accessible stream.

BTW - Anne Keothavong has given a good interview to Piers Newbury and it's published on the BBC website here. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/21343536)

[david1610]

I was following livescores here, http://67.231.107.53/widgets/fedcup.aspx?id=8BB21915-9AC9-4A96-98E5-D221E7443285 and just went to see if there was an order of play and it says the tournament has "lapsed" i.e. today was the last day. Presumably nobody reset the software app when an extra day was needed.
Hope it is working tomorrow or there is somewhere else to check!

[patmoren]

Can't find a feed anywhere, tweeted Steven in case he knows of one.

[Sallydaisy]

There's nothing I'm afraid ... last year a company in Israel covered it and there were streams but apparently this year it's confined to to Israel itself.

As for livescoring - impossible. As David1610 pointed out the FedCup LS board was set up to cover Wed-Sat and has now decided the event is over. It rained on Wednesday delaying the schedules by 1 session so the GroupB/D play-offs had to be today so they've had 3/4 days to reset the date parameters. No such luck.

There's an LTA guy tweeting scores at each change of ends/set but that's pretty much it.

Anyhow, Laura Robson leads 6'0, 4'3 but that was 5mins ago. No update since.

[Sallydaisy]

Laura now leads 6'0, 5'4.
Oppo to serve to stay in the match and GB had BP chances in her last game.

Latest tweets from BT man British Tennis ‏@BritishTennis (https://twitter.com/BritishTennis)


British Tennis @BritishTennis: #GBFedCup Robson holds for 4-3 and
#GBFedCup Bulgaria holds for 4-4 saving a break point
#GBFedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GBFedCup&src=hash) Robson holds to 15 for 5-4



It's be great if Laura could break to take the 2nd set!

[david1610]

Thanks Sally. Do we know who she is playing?m - The tricky one or the 250 rankend one?

[Sallydaisy]

Laura won her rubber!!!
:yahoo:


British Tennis ‏@BritishTennis (https://twitter.com/BritishTennis) #GBFedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GBFedCup&src=hash) Robson puts Aegon GB Fed Cup team 1-0 up with a 6-0 6-4 win in just under an hour



Now Heather has to beat Pironkova ...
;)

[Jane]

http://67.231.107.53/widgets/fedcup.aspx?id=8BB21915-9AC9-4A96-98E5-D221E7443285

I have been watching LS on the above since Thursday, but it says that the tournament has "elapsed" this morning. What's that all about?:grrr:

Oops - have just read back through the thread and found the explanation - silly old me:shamed:

[Sallydaisy]

Thanks Sally. Do we know who she is playing?m - The tricky one or the 250 rankend one?
Laura got the 250 ranked one ... Dia Evtimova
;)

Heather Watson serving first and has held to 15 to go 1-0 up against Pironkova.

[Sallydaisy]

1-1

This could get tedious but the only way for score updates is by following the LTA man on twitter!
I'll merge a load of posts later ..........

[Sallydaisy]

Heather broken, Bulgaria lead (and serving next) at *2-1.
Bulgarian hold for 3-1. Hev needs to hold and break back pronto!
:battle:

[Sallydaisy]

Oh no! Heather broken again 1-4.
I think this is going to come down to the Doubles ... unless our Hev can find a way back as Laura did yesterday!

[SamP]

Heather doesn't seem to have started the year all guns blazing, very up and down.

[Sallydaisy]

5-1. Heather serving next to stay in the set.

[david1610]

The updates are wonderful Sally - don't worry about tedium!
C'mon GB!
PS Although Heather is rising through the ranks, her serve tends to often be quite vulnerable. She wins matches by breaking (back) a lot, not necessarily holding all the time...

[Jane]

First set gone - poor Heather must be feeling awful

[Sallydaisy]

Bulgaria breaks for the 3rd time to take the first set 6-1 in 25mins.
Poor Hev, hope she can regroup!

Her oppo, Pironkova is currently WR#44 (to Hev's WR#41) but has been in the top 50 for the last 5 years (CH #31 in 2010) so has much more experience of high level playing than Heather.

But our Hev is a fighter ... no?
;)

[david1610]

Bulgaria breaks for the 3rd time to take the first set 6-1 in 25mins.
Poor Hev, hope she can regroup!

Her oppo, Pironkova is currently WR#44 (to Hev's WR#41) but has been in the top 50 for the last 5 years (CH #31 in 2010) so has much more experience of high level playing than Heather.

But our Hev is a fighter ... no?
;)
Yes. Heather has lost the first set and come back to win in three many a time. Let's hope this is another of those days! Just hope the nerves are not getting to her - different nerves when it is a team of course. C'mon GB!

[Sallydaisy]

Time for a chat between Judy and Heather ...

British Tennis ‏@BritishTennis (https://twitter.com/BritishTennis) #GBFedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GBFedCup&src=hash) @judmoo (https://twitter.com/judmoo) in a change of ends pep talk with @HeatherWatson92 (https://twitter.com/HeatherWatson92).
Team GB are chanting Lets Go Heather! pic.twitter.com/Mlt5K5uG (http://t.co/Mlt5K5uG)



https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCu5LeCCYAAnjpi.jpg

[Sallydaisy]

Pironkova holds to open the 2nd set.

I hadn't realised she'd already beaten Heather this year - Hobart R32, 7-6 (10) 3-6 7-6 (2).
Clearly a very tough match!
The Bulgarian leads their H2H (http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/10365/player2/16047) 2-1 with Hev's only win at Eastbourne in 2010.

Tournament Results

Year
Tournament
Round
Surface
Winner



2012
HOBART (http://www.wtatennis.com/tournaments/tournamentId/415)
Hobart, AUSTRALIA

R32
HARD
Tsvetana Pironkova (http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/10365)
7-6 (10) 3-6 7-6 (2)

Match Details (http://www.wtatennis.com/fragment/wtaTennis/fragments/assets/head2Head/h2hMatchStat/matchId/29963/tournamentId/415/year/2012/player1/10365/player2/16047)


2010
MIAMI (http://www.wtatennis.com/tournaments/tournamentId/837)
MIAMI, USA

R128
HARD
Tsvetana Pironkova (http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/10365)
6-4 6-2

Match Details (http://www.wtatennis.com/fragment/wtaTennis/fragments/assets/head2Head/h2hMatchStat/matchId/1277/tournamentId/837/year/2010/player1/10365/player2/16047)


2010
EASTBOURNE (http://www.wtatennis.com/tournaments/tournamentId/644)
EASTBOURNE, GREAT BRITAIN

R16
GRASS
Heather Watson (http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/16047)
2-6 6-3 6-4

Match Details (http://www.wtatennis.com/fragment/wtaTennis/fragments/assets/head2Head/h2hMatchStat/matchId/3425/tournamentId/644/year/2010/player1/10365/player2/16047)

[Sallydaisy]

Hev held and so did Piro who now leads 2-1.
Hev to serve after the change of ends.

[Sallydaisy]

2-2, 2nd set. Heather holding her serve better apparently.

[Sallydaisy]

Bulgaria hold for 3-2 but Heather had 3 breakpoints ... that's much better than in the first set.


British Tennis ‏@BritishTennis (https://twitter.com/BritishTennis) #GBFedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GBFedCup&src=hash) Bulgaria erases three break points and holds for 3-2

[Jane]

Thanks Sally - I am following your twitter link in between trying to get brekky - all a bit frustrating, but at least we know what is happening:thumbup:

[Sallydaisy]

3-3 after another good hold from Hev!

And news of a livescore link.



Steven ‏@GBtennis (https://twitter.com/GBtennis) For those of us getting "elapsed" when they try to access #GBFedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GBFedCup&src=hash) live scores, there's a temporary l/scores link at http://bit.ly/12DcBMj (http://t.co/ESroFY2C)

[Sallydaisy]

Ahhh! Livescore!
http://matchscorer.com/widgets/whitelabels/onecoil.aspx?id=4

HEATHER HAS BROKEN PIRONKOVA!!!
Serving next at *4-3
:dance:

[david1610]

C'mon Heather! (Seems like the application developers have realised the tournament is still on!)
5-3!

[Sallydaisy]

5-3 up after a love hold from Ms Watson. Now break Tsveti again please to serve 1st in the 3rd set!

[Sallydaisy]

C'mon Heather! (Seems like the application developers have realised the tournament is still on!)
5-3!
It isn't the official Fed Cup LSboard but an Israeli website who are the only ones doing any independent livescoring and livestreaming (the latter only available if you live in Israel).

[Sallydaisy]

Heather to serve for the 2nd set at *5-4.

[david1610]

It isn't the official Fed Cup LSboard but an Israeli website who are the only ones doing any independent livescoring and livestreaming (the latter only available if you live in Israel).
?? My link takes me to the matchscorer site, which developed the app they were using earlier in the week. Whoever has activated it, it is using the same app, and the website of the people who developed it, so presumably has been done with their cooperation??

Heather gets the second set!!! 6-4

[MurrayAOne]

Come on Heather!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jane]

Hev wins the second set 6-4:cheer::cheer::cheer:

[Sallydaisy]

:yahoo:

Heather takes the 2nd set 6'4. Now for the 3rd!!!
:battle:

David - sorry but the link is working for me direct to the Livescores page.
It's very very basic but working OK.
Maybe try clicking on the link in Steven's tweet insttead?

[david1610]

:yahoo:

Heather takes the 2nd set 6'4. Now for the 3rd!!!
:battle:

David - sorry but the link is working for me direct to the Livescores page.
It's very very basic but working OK.
Maybe try clicking on the link in Steven's tweet insttead?
Sally - the link is great - Steven's link takes me to the matchscorer site which is updated just like the app did during the week. Just does not have any match analysis, but it is fine - it is livescoring!
Anyway the points are more important.
C'mon Heather!

She breaks first game! Now consolidate! C'mon Heather!

[Sallydaisy]

oooo'er Hev gets a break straightaway in the 3rd set; serving next at *1-0

[Jane]

2-0 to Hev

[david1610]

Heather consolidates 2-0. C'mon Heather!

[Sallydaisy]

2-0! Get in Ms Watson!

Oreo cookies for breakfast ... tied to livescores!

[Sallydaisy]

3-0 to Heather!

[david1610]

And now 3-0. C'mon Heather!

[Jane]

3-0 to Hev - must have been some pep talk from Judy:big grin:

[Jane]

4-0

[david1610]

4-0! C'mon Heather!

[Sallydaisy]

4-0, hold to 15 by Heather!

She is on a roll here; GBR just 2 games from the win!

anti-jinx potion...
:cauldron:

[pabbers]

Although Heather is rising through the ranks, her serve tends to often be quite vulnerable. She wins matches by breaking (back) a lot, not necessarily holding all the time...

And who does that remind us of :hmm: ?

[Sallydaisy]

Pironkova finally held her serve, 1-4 in GBR's favour though in this deciding set (and rubber)

[Sallydaisy]

:sofa:
Pironkova has 2 break back points

[pabbers]

Oh dear and break back she does - but at least there's one more cushion. COME ON HEV!!!!!!!!!!

[david1610]

Eek! 4-2. One break back. Stay calm. C'mon Heather!

[Sallydaisy]

:battle:

Going to be tough to the finish; the Bulgarian has got a break back and serving next at *2-4.
Heather just needs to hold her serve twice to see this out ... or break Piro again perhaps???
;)

[Jane]

5-2 to Hev

[Sallydaisy]

Ya beauty!!!
:dance:

Watson breaks again and will serve for the match and the promotion at *5-2, 3rd set!
:peace:

[pabbers]

:peace:

[david1610]

C'mon Heather. Four more points! 15-15 Make that three! 30-30 next point please!! 40-30 SP, MP TP!!!!
Livescore disappeared so presumably she won!!!!!!!!!!

[pabbers]

YAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well done Hev!!

[Sallydaisy]

:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:

Well done Heather Watson!

She wins 1-6 6-4 6-2 !!!

And that means GBR will be promoted to the World Group II Play-offs in April.
The 8 man group won't be finalised until later today when the current WGII ties are complete.

[Jane]

Well done Heather - and Laura - and Judy and the rest of the team:cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer:

[david1610]

I suspect that might be a big victory for Heather, not just in terms of the Fed Cup; and also for Judy - whatever she said after the first set certainly brought out Heather's belief in herself!
Well done all six of them!

[pabbers]

I think having Judy as a captain must be quite special, she's a motherly figure so they feel safe, but she's fun and daft as a brush too, has a son who plays incredible tennis and knows what she's talking about. I imagine she's very encouraging.

[MurrayAOne]

Great win Heather!!!!!!!!!! Well done team GB!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[david1610]

Just now on five live news they said Heather was one set all in the tie (!) but also played an interview with Judy who said both Laura and Heather could be top ten and their next step was consistency and put in the performances week in, week out...

[david1610]

I think having Judy as a captain must be quite special, she's a motherly figure so they feel safe, but she's fun and daft as a brush too, has a son who plays incredible tennis and knows what she's talking about. I imagine she's very encouraging.
I was right behind (no pun intended) the Fed team two years in Portugal when Nigel Sears (hope I got that right) was giving his pep talk to one of the girls during a match. She was sitting. He was standing up and I thought "teacher tells kid off" when I saw it.
The word with Judy is.... credible .... and I suppose it can extend to... producing the incredible! :)

[Sallydaisy]

The British win today puts us into the draw for World Group II Play-offs.

8 teams taken as follows:-
4 promoted:
EA Zone 1 promotions: Great Britain and Poland
Asia Zone1 promotion: Kazakhstan
Americas Z1 promotion: Canada

+ 4 teams who lose in R1 in WGII ties this weekend.
Most likely - according to Steven - is as follows based on revised FedCup rankings on Monday.

Steven ‏@GBtennis (https://twitter.com/GBtennis) #GBFedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GBFedCup&src=hash) Given likely rankings & scores in WG II ties atm, most likely WG2 PO opponents are UKR, FRA, SUi/BEL (all by lot) or SWE (at home)


Current state of the WGII ties which are best of 5 rubbers, 3 deciding rubbers today:
Spain 3-0 Ukraine
France 0-2 Germany
Argentina 2-0 Sweden
Switzerland 1-1 Belgium


We'll know on Wednesday:

Piers Newbery ‏@piersnewbery (https://twitter.com/piersnewbery) Draw on Wednesday, 11am..

[Sallydaisy]

Awwww ... a big hug for Heather!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCqjSaFCEAEfTVw.jpg


British Tennis ‏@BritishTennis (https://twitter.com/BritishTennis) #GBFedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GBFedCup&src=hash) Moment of victory: Aegon GB Fed Cup Team thru to play offs 2moro & a hug between @judmoo (https://twitter.com/judmoo) & @HeatherWatson92 (https://twitter.com/HeatherWatson92) pic.twitter.com/5y3pxL6E (http://t.co/5y3pxL6E)


But I think the tweeter is wrong about the play-offs "2moro" ...

https://o.twimg.com/1/proxy.jpg?t=FQQVBBgpaHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0cGljLmNvbS9zaG 93L2xhcmdlL2MyZ2J5aC5qcGcUAhYAEgA&s=yk4OcGpNCC_KmSeSTvQGBohKaIDdVaiH9AC9aAiD27U

[Sallydaisy]

Team GBR photo - our winning women!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BCvLqIACUAEZ2Ry.jpg


Laura Robson ‏@laurarobson5 (https://twitter.com/laurarobson5) We did it!!! Heather and I won our singles so we are through to the playoff in April! Very very happy. pic.twitter.com/NIP13x4O (http://t.co/NIP13x4O)

[Alis]

Well done the girls!!! :dance::dance::dance:

[Sallydaisy]

:GBflag::bravo:

They really did pull together to get the win!

In the WGII R1 ties:
Spain have already beaten Ukraine (the latter being a potential 'away' opponent for us in April)
Switz lead Belgium by 2-1 and they're into a 4th rubber. Unfortunately Flipkens is injured so her place has been taken by Alison van Uytvanck WR#204 and she's currently down a set to Stefanie Voelele but has broken the Swiss player to lead 2-0 in the 2nd set.

[Linda]

:cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

[Sallydaisy]

WGII R1:
Switzerland beat Belgium; Germany beat France.
Argentina v Sweden has just started but Argentina has a 2-0 lead already going into the last day and are the likely winners if it goes to a 4th rubber.

WGII P/offs - 8 teams - draw on Wednesday at 11am.
In probable ranking order (which decides the seeded countries) - see Steven's work.

Belgium (lot)
Ukraine (lot)
France (lot)
Sweden probably (or Argentina ...) (home)

Great Britain - we're unlikely to move up into a seeding position so will play one of the 4 above.
Poland
Canada
Kazakhstan

From Steven - on BT.net/activeboard (http://britishtennis.activeboard.com/t48842388/fed-cup-2013/?page=29&sort=oldestFirst)

I don't think France will drop below us even if they lose and we win tomorrow because I think the max. we can rise to is about 2550 and France will stay on 2700 because all of their wins in the last 4 years have been in April WG I & WG II playoffs, so none of their points will get deweighted any further until after the playoffs in April this year.

If you strip out bonus points, the (non-bonus) points for all the teams that could be in the WG II playoffs unless there is a comeback from 0-2 down tomorrow are approximately (i.e. using the same calcs as I use for my Fed Cup table, which produced GB's exact total at the end of 2011 and a difference of just 12.5 at the end of 2010, and assuming the results necessary to end up in the WG II playoffs) as follows:
3625 BEL (if they lose to SUI, currently 1-1)
2750 UKR (0-2 down)
2500 FRA (0-2 down)
2500 SWE (0-2 down)
2400 SUI (if they lose to BEL, currently 1-1)
------
2100 GBR (if they beat BUL)
2050 CAN
1900 POL
1850 KAZ
1525 BUL (if they beat GBR)

Adding bonus points, the best GB can reach is about 2550. Of the three teams that appears to bring into range, FRA have and will keep 200 bps making 2700, while SWE have 535 and SUI 430 so both will still have at least 300 to add. So, it looks like this year the WG II losers will all be seeded in the play-offs.
All this will of course be academic if GB don't manage to beat BUL unless you are also interested in one of the other teams concerned!

[JAMES4578]

Great stuff from Laura and Heather to take GB into the play offs, well done! Particularly impressive that Heather fought back from that drubbing by Pironkova in the opening set.

[Jan]

great win for th team - congrats to them all :dance::dance:

[patmoren]

Fingers crossed for Wednesday and a good draw.

[pabbers]

Fantastic - heralds great things to come from both girls and for team GB!

[cazza99]

:yahoo: Well done girls :clap: :clap:


BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/21400968) - GB through to Fed Cup World Group II play-off

Just found this

LTA (http://www.lta.org.uk/fans-major-events/Fed-Cup/Videos/?yo=000055389660-55395523&cat=Off+Court)- Andy Murray wishes GB Fed Cup Team luck
video


Bally has been blogging at the Fed Cup

LTA (http://www.lta.org.uk/fans-major-events/Fed-Cup/Blog/Bally-blogs---Israel-part-one/) - Bally blogs - Israel part one

LTA (http://www.lta.org.uk/fans-major-events/Fed-Cup/Blog/Bally-blogs---Israel-part-two/)- Bally blogs - Israel part two

LTA (http://www.lta.org.uk/fans-major-events/Fed-Cup/Blog/Bally-blogs---Israel-part-three/) - Bally blogs - Israel part three


LTA (http://www.lta.org.uk/fans-major-events/Fed-Cup/Blog/Q--A-with-the-Aegon-GB-Fed-Cup-Team/) - Q & A with the Aegon GB Fed Cup Team

[dewster99]

great win well done girls, you all looked great in those dresses to, especially Laura :love:

[Sallydaisy]

Update on the potential opposition:

Steven ‏@GBtennis (https://twitter.com/GBtennis) #GBFedCup (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GBFedCup&src=hash) SWE beat ARG from 0-2 down! Outside chance GB could be seeded but more likely
v ARG, BEL, FRA or UKR - venue by lot in all cases

[Jan62]

Congratulations girls, fabulous win. Fingers crossed for a home tie in the play offs, would be great to have a chance to cheer on our ladies. What are the possible venues for a home tie?

[Sallydaisy]

Confirmation of the Fed Cup rankings relating to WGII Playoffs

These will be the 4 seeded teams
13 Belgium
14 Ukraine
15 France
16 Great Britain

So GBR will play one of those in the bottom 4, venue to be decided by lot ...
17 Argentina
18 Poland
19 Kazakhstan
21 Canada

[Steven]

Confirmation of the Fed Cup rankings relating to WGII Playoffs

These will be the 4 seeded teams
13 Belgium
14 Ukraine
15 France
16 Great Britain

So GBR will play one of those in the bottom 4, venue to be decided by lot ...
17 Argentina
18 Poland
19 Kazakhstan
21 Canada

Lots of confusion today LOL - when I said "Outside chance GB could be seeded" yesterday, I knew we'd be very close to Argentina but without knowing the (past) rankings of their past opponents, I couldn't be sure of their points total and there is also a bit of a mystery over the points awarded to teams in Group I in the years when they don't get promoted too.

When the new rankings first came out this morning, we were 17th and looked like we were unseeded. Then I noticed that Argentina had moved up to an impossibly high points total and Sweden had gone down and it was obvious that they had processed the points as if Argentina had beaten Sweden, when Sweden had actually won from 0-2 down. I wrote to the ITF to query this (no doubt lots of other people did too, especially Swedes!) and they have since corrected it, with GB just 25 points ahead of Argentina. That changes everything, as Sally's post shows.

In between, they had sent out an email (I'm on their mailing list) and, apparently, a press release, saying we weren't seeded and that hasn't been changed yet, though surely it will be.

Sadly, I'm not sure being seeded is a good thing - when you look at the players each team has, you can virtually match each of the possible opponents we could now get with one of the possible opponents we could have got if we weren't seeded in terms of how hard they are to beat and the change means that there are no longer any potential away ties that as easily accessible as Belgium and France might have been.

[pabbers]

But it could still be a home tie, no?

[Sallydaisy]

But it could still be a home tie, no?
Yes.


So GBR will play one of those in the bottom 4, venue to be decided by lot ...
17 Argentina
18 Poland
19 Kazakhstan
21 Canada

[cazza99]

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/21343610)- Fed Cup column: Judy Murray on GB's huge opportunity

[RoastLamb]

Hope it's Canada.

[jaysee]

Hope it's Canada. But wouldn't you prefer both GB and Canada to win their ties?:confused:

[Sallydaisy]

:sad:

We've draw Argentina - AWAY!!!
That's going to be tough ...


Fed Cup ‏@FedCup (https://twitter.com/FedCup) WGII -
BEL v POL in BEL,
FRA v KAZ in FRA,
GBR v ARG in ARG,
UKR v CAN in UKR

[Steven]

Looking on the bright side, once we end up on a long string of away DC ties (almost inevitable given how many home ties we have had recently), this gives us two countries (i.e. SWE & ARG) who we will be guaranteed a home Fed Cup tie against should we draw them again! Also, Argentina's Fed Cup team are not nearly as daunting as the Argentine DC team we played in our last World Group R1 tie 5 years ago.

GB v ARG (ancient) H2H is 2-0 - Wade & Woodridge won 2-1 in Johannesburg in 1972 and Barker & Wade won 2-1 in Berlin in 1980.

Argentina's current top 4 have been their team for every tie since the start of 2012. They are all ranked below any of our top 5 and none of them have ever been in the top 100:

Paula Ormaechea: WR 195 (CH 111 last Apr)

Heather beat her in 3 sets in Birmingham last year. In juniors in 2008/9, Heather and Laura (on clay) both beat her and JoKo lost to her but only 7-6 in the 3rd.

Florencia Molinero: WR 214 (CH 170 last Apr)

Laura and JoKo both played her in green clay 25Ks in Florida in 2010 and both only managed to take 4 games off her.

MarÃ*a Irigoyen: WR 215 (CH 167 in 2010)

JoKo played her in that same swing of 25Ks in Florida in 2010, losing 3 & 3.

Mailen Auroux: WR 280 (CH 241 last Oct)

Auroux has not played any of the GB top 5 but lost to GB no. 9 Amanda Carreras twice, in Lima in 2009 and in Rio in 2010. Both she and Irigoyen are ranked around 130 in doubles and are likely to play only doubles unless either of the top two are incapacitated.

[Jan62]

:sad:

We've draw Argentina - AWAY!!!
That's going to be tough ...

Pity its an away tie, but actually Argentina is better than just about any of the others for our ladies. I think we have a good chance to get through this one, but what a shame we won't be able to go along and cheer GB on.

[JAMES4578]

certainly reasonable draw but pity it's not a home tie!

[pabbers]

Well at least I don't have to agonise over whether or not to go!

[Caro]

Well at least I don't have to agonise over whether or not to go!

Exactly! Hubby would be none too pleased at any more tennis trips I have no doubt :rolleyes:

[cazza99]

Won't they also already be across the pond because of the US hard court season, so they will be more acclimatized to the time zone.

[patmoren]

Better for them but not for us. What are they like on Clay as I presume that will be what they are playing on?

[Steven]

Won't they also already be across the pond because of the US hard court season, so they will be more acclimatized to the time zone.

It's late April, so they should be well into the clay court season by then.

To answer Pat's question, Heather has won four matches at Roland Garros in each of the last two years, coming through qualifying to reach R2 both times. She also qualified then reached R2 at Estoril WTA last year.

Clay doesn't suit Laura at all but she has reached the FQR at Roland Garros the last two years, getting into the main draw as a LL in 2012.

So, nothing spectacular, but more than enough to suggest they should have a good chance against clay-courters ranked outside the top 200.

The closest we have to a clay court specialist among the women is Amanda Carreras from Gibraltar, who reached the Final of a 25K in, coincidentally, Buenos Aires last year. However, the gulf between our top 5 and the rest is so big that I wouldn't expect her to be in the team unless at least two of the top 5 can't play. It's not impossible to imagine her beating one of the Argentine players if she did have to play though.

[cazza99]

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/21443604) - Fed Cup: Great Britain handed away trip to Argentina

[david1610]

Better for them but not for us. What are they like on Clay as I presume that will be what they are playing on?
Last year at Estoril I asked Heather's mum how Heather liked playing on clay and she said that it many ways it suited Heather's game very well and was actually a "positive" surface for Heather!

[Sallydaisy]

Just looking for something else and found this tweet of mine in reply to Piers/Judy on the 10th Feb.
Be careful what you wish for Sally ...
:facepalm:

Piers Newbery ‏@piersnewbery (https://twitter.com/piersnewbery)
"It was a fabulous week, now we're absolutely desperate to have a home tie in April," says GB @FedCup (https://twitter.com/FedCup) captain @judmoo (https://twitter.com/judmoo) - http://bbc.in/XmLCkf (http://t.co/IGTYaQR2)


Sallydaisy ‏@SallyDaisy10is (https://twitter.com/SallyDaisy10is)
@piersnewbery (https://twitter.com/piersnewbery) @FedCup (https://twitter.com/FedCup) @judmoo (https://twitter.com/judmoo) The way things are going we'll be away to Argentina!

[cazza99]

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/21449769)- Improving GB have a good chance of winning World Group play-off

[cazza99]

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/fed-cup-brits-pledge-to-tame-argentina-crowd/)- Fed Cup - Brits pledge to tame Argentina crowd