FED CUP 2013 - World Group II Play-offs: GBR v ARG - Buenos Aires, 20-21 Apr

[Sallydaisy]

FEDERATION CUP 2013 - World Group II Play-offs
http://profile-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hprofile-prn1/50195_148176061891285_4030_q.jpg
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Great Britain v Argentina
Mery Terán De Weiss Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (clay)

20-21 April 2013

The GB Fed Cup Team is:
Laura Robson, GB#1
Johanna Konta, GB#3
Anne Keothavong, GB#4
Elena Baltacha, GB#6

The team will be led by Judy Murray who was appointed as GB Fed Cup Captain in December 2011. British No.2 Heather Watson will not be making the trip as she is still recovering from Glandular Fever.

More information on the LTA (http://www.lta.org.uk/fans-major-events/Fed-Cup/News/2013/Aegon-GB-Fed-Cup-Team-Announced-for-World-Group-II-Play-Off/)and Fed Cup (http://www.fedcup.com/en/home.aspx) websites.

[jaysee]

Let's hope the boys have inspired the girls! :GBflag:

[Jan62]

Such a pity for Hev, but great to see that Bally is back. I'm sure the boys' exploits at the weekend have provided plenty of inspiration. Wouldn't it be amazing to have both our men and women promoted in their competitions?

[cazza99]

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/22078971)- Fed Cup: Heather Watson out of GB team to face Argentina

[JAMES4578]

Doubted Heather would be recovered for this tie sadly, glad Bally is back though.

[david1610]

Doubted Heather would be recovered for this tie sadly, glad Bally is back though.
I will cross my fingers but frankly I think the tie very much depends on Laura's form! She might have to play three matches.

[andyfer]

Looks like the tie is being shown on Sky Sports 3 tomorrow. Wasn't expecting any coverage after the Davis Cup fiasco!

[david1610]

After the bad news of Heather, the good news of Anne K.
http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3096486/title/personal-breakthrough-for-keothavong

She got to her first EVER WTA final last week in Brazil in the doubles.

Laura and Anne for the doubles?

[patmoren]

I have signed up for the ITF livestream. Only costs $9.99 for the weekend coverage

[banskogirl]

Just checking anyone with basic sky read my post about ringing at the moment and you get sky sport for £5 per month? Great price and its that price til middle of August. Have record set for fed cup and MC tomorrow. Was surprised it actually lets me record fed cup from 2pm! Thinking maybe there were a lot of complaints about the lack of coverage on the boys DC?

[david1610]

Information at http://www.fedcup.com/en/news/144062.aspx
Johanna Konta is playing singles along with Laura.
Doubles Anne K. and Laura....
Because the format is two days rather than the 3 of Davis Cup, Laura will have two matches to play on the Sunday. Doubles is last.

[Steven]

DAY 1

14.00 BST: Johanna Konta WR 164 (CH 142 in Feb) v Paula Ormaechea WR 143 (CH 111 last Apr)

followed by: Laura Robson WR 38 (= CH) v Florencia Molinero WR 224 (CH 170 last Apr)

H2H is 0-1 in both cases, but funnily enough JoKo got a lot closer to her opponent last time they played than Laura did - Jo played Ormaechea on clay at the Banana Bowl junior event in Brazil in 2008, with Paula edging it in a 3rd set tiebreak 7-5 4-6 7-6, while Laura got thrashed 0 & 4 by Molinero on green clay in Osprey 25K in 2010. However, that was back in the days when both Laura and her opponent were ranked just outside the top 300 and Laura was in her most flaky period - e.g. she beat a seed in R1 and the scoreline started 0-6 6-0 ... (someone on BT later reminded me that Laura was just back from injury at that point too)

Also, there is now a video of Judy's speech at the Fed Cup dinner - http://bit.ly/11OUDnF - it gets funny once she starts embarrassing her own players - probably more fun if you try to guess first which of Argentina's 2012/13 Davis Cup players she thinks each of her team most closely resembles. ;)

[hfwardhouse]

Saw that video a wee while ago - absolutely brilliant - Judy is a riot!

[david1610]

Already started. Johanna unfortunately 0-4 down in the first set. Stream at http://lsh.streamhunter.eu/static/popups/146573967341850.html

Holds quite well to go 1-4. Court looks very empty but is huge - nobody on the upper tiers, but there is a noisy brass band ......

C'mon Johanna!
2-4 First break back!
Holds 3-4 - has won 12 of the last 14 points.
Lots of pressure on Ormaechea now. C'mon Johanna! (I think I'll make that Jo from now on!)
Steadier game by the Argentinian. 3-5
Unfortunately Johanna goes from 30-30 to handing over the set.

Oh well. There was enough there to suggest she can make a fight of this. C'mon Johanna. And c'mon Judy!

[JAMES4578]

Wasn't a great start and looked worrying but Jo into it now, come on!

[david1610]

Argentina holds after Johanna had two BPs, hitting very aggressive shots on them.
Next game is of course pretty much key to the match. C'mon Johanna!
Very good hold - strong first serves. 1-1
Another hold. 1-2.
Eek... two break points against Jo. 15-40. And goes long. 1-3
Some very irritating horns thousands of miles away so on court must be horrible... c'mon Johanna!
30-30 very lucky net court for the Argentinian... and holds. 1-4.
Keep believing! C'mon Johanna.
Good hold from Johanna. 2-4. This time. C'mon Johanna!
Hold 2-5 and then Johanna is broken 2-6.

Oh well. A bit more experience and Johanna will play those matches better.

PS The stream suddenly changed. Much better quality now!
Now C'mon Laura!

[JAMES4578]

Not quite gone Jo's way with the Argentine more comfortable and serving to stay in it at 2-5 but hopefully she can keep fighting, oh well Ormaechea takes it 6-3, 6-2. Pity she took a while to get going. Laura on court now, come on!

[david1610]

Laura serving first and gets first point. C'mon Laura!

[supergran]

Go Laura!!!!

[david1610]

1-1. Laura trying to hit through a court which is giving her very little. Patience. Patience. C'mon Laura!
First double for Laura.
Watching the rallies, it does seem that it is more important for Laura just to keep the ball in play and induce the errors from the Argentine and not worry too much if the court does not help her too much.
Having said that, the court luckily is not counteracting the difference in class between Laura and her opponent. C'mon Laura!
Holds and breaks 3-1
Serving. Two consecutive doubles and then a net court on second serve........ gets a UE from opponet.

Phew! 4-1 Think she needs another break! C'mon Laura!
Which she gets. 5-1.
Saves a number of break points but eventually gets the first set 6-1.

There is a clear difference of class here. Laura is finding it easier to break than to hold. One "double fault anxiety" game.

Hope she can get an early break and hold at the start of the second. C'mon Laura!

[david1610]

Laura manages to break in a tight game and go 1-0 up in the second set. C'mon Laura.
Now 4-0.
Now 5-00
I hate to sound a bit like a bully, but if she hopefully gets a bagel it might just soften up the Argentinian number 2 and make match number 4 tomorrow (the two number 1's play first) interesting.
Molinero breaks 1-5.
Laura wins 6-1. Considerable difference in ability!

(PS the Brit supports make their own noise... green maracas and some percussion.... cunning... wonder if anyone thought it is quite "Brazilian like" which is just the thing to annoy the hosts!

[JAMES4578]

Heather manages to break in a tight game and go 1-0 up in the second set. C'mon Laura.

Think Laura's just playing by herself lol! Anyway, things going very much to plan and Laura really dominating thus far. However,she can still can't take it for granted, mustn't give Molinero 2nd chances.

[Hawkeye]

6-1 *5-0. Minimum energy expended so far.

[JAMES4578]

Whilst clear favourite, impressed Laura has been so dominant. However, not a great game as she fails to make it a bagel against Molinero. Still only a matter of time. Laura makes amends immediately as she breaks again winning in two breadsticks, well done!

[Hawkeye]

6-1 6-1 it is.

[Steven]

I think we should start slight favourites for both of the reverse singles, though whoever gets picked on each side for the 4th rubber, it could be very close.

R1: Johanna Konta WR 164 (CH 142 in Feb) lost to Paula Ormaechea WR 143 (CH 111 last Apr) by 3 & 2 :sad:

R2: Laura Robson WR 38 (= CH) beat Florencia Molinero WR 224 (CH 170 last Apr) by 1 & 1 :)

There is a chance that either side could bring in a substitute for the 4th rubber but it seems certain that the first rubber tomorrow will be:

1445 BST: Laura Robson WR 38 (= CH) v Paula Ormaechea WR 143 (CH 111 last Apr)

H2H 1-0, in on clay in Italy in juniors way back in 2008. Laura won their R2 match 3 & 2 and went on to reach the Final, where funnily enough she lost to a player (then) representing Australia called ... Johanna Konta!

Either team can change their nomination for the 4th rubber up to 10 minutes after the 3rd rubber finishes and it is plausible that one or both teams might.

I'm not sure why there are starting later tomorrow when there could be 3 matches to play. Maybe the idea of starting early today and a bit later tomorrow is to make the recovery period as long as possible.

[david1610]

6-1 *5-0. Minimum energy expended so far.
I think that is a very good point. Not just winning well, but still having a full tank for two matches tomorrow!
I really hope Johanna plays tomorrow as I felt she was closer to her number 1 opponent than Molineri and deserves a change.

[Jan]

Been out/really busy all day, but catching up now. 1-1 seems about what we expected from the first day. Hope the girls can come out and do well tomorrow. Does anyone know what time the matches start tomorow?

[cazza99]

Been out/really busy all day, but catching up now. 1-1 seems about what we expected from the first day. Hope the girls can come out and do well tomorrow. Does anyone know what time the matches start tomorow?

Not sure but they are being televised on Sky around 3.30 pm after the Monte Carlo final.

[Steven]

Been out/really busy all day, but catching up now. 1-1 seems about what we expected from the first day. Hope the girls can come out and do well tomorrow. Does anyone know what time the matches start tomorow?

14.45 BST, i.e. 45 minutes later than yesterday.

[cazza99]

Sky announced that the Fed cup is on the Sky 2 red button.

[david1610]

Announcement just made and teams coming out.
(Nice of those people in those funny cars in Bahrain to stop doing their laps just a few minutes ago :) )

Missed first couple of games. Heather broken to go 2-3 because of .... a double fault :( Commie saying Laura does not seem to have any special tactics for her opponent.

C'mon Laura!
3-3 Looking like one of those matches where it is easier to break than hold.
C'mon Laura!
Laura had game point to hold (and stop four successive breaks of service) but she hit her third double...
Now has a BP against her. C'mon Laura! Net chord goes against her and another break. 3-4
C'mon Laura!

[JAMES4578]

Breaks galore, come on Laura-hopefully she can be more dominant on serve.

[david1610]

Eeek Argentinian opponent holds Laura serving at 3-5. C'mon Laura!
Laura holds to 15. 4-5
C'mon Laura!
Hold to love. First set 6-4 to Argentina.
Laura not able to show her class on the court, unlike yesterday. Oh well.
Still two sets needed. C'mon Laura!

[david1610]

Laura broken to love in the first game. Another DF.
Hold by Ormeachea. 0-2

Has to regroup and believe. C'mon Laura!
Lost stream....
Hope it comes back!
Back 1-3 to Argentina. Two holds. C'mon Laura!
now BP for Argentina on 30-40 after Laura had 30-0
Now deuce.
Finally holds a very, very tough game. 3-4.
I think she needs a break and a hold!

[JAMES4578]

Laura 3-1 down and it'll be tough but she can turn this around, come on!

[david1610]

Laura 3-1 down and it'll be tough but she can turn this around, come on!
Gets that break and hold and is now 4-3 up.
Now got SKY commies and Sam Smith said Ormeachea now serving at the difficult end and that her forehand breaks down when she is nervous, so the next two games might be very, very significant.
4-4 after Laura had a BP but her opponet served an ace.
Good serving please!
30-0 whistles on the second serve DF . And another one.30-30. Now 40-30. 5-4. Phew. This is tight! Her opponent seems a case of flakiness just waiting to happen... but will we get the chance to see it??!!
DF leading to BP and SP... and NOT from Laura. Two set points 15-40. Great serve - she does serve well when BPs down. But this time ... Yes!!!!!!

ONE SET ALL!!!!!!!

[JAMES4578]

Great effort from Laura, hopefully she can keep the momentum going and take it to a decider.

[Hawkeye]

Did I hear them say theat Baltacha will play the fourth rubber?

[JAMES4578]

Did I hear them say theat Baltacha will play the fourth rubber?

Yes Elena has been picked despite the lack of matches, great effort from Laura to take the 2nd, come on!

[david1610]

Two holds at the beginning of the third.

[david1610]

Did I hear them say theat Baltacha will play the fourth rubber?
Oh dear. That means Laura has to win this match and then play the doubles.
Sorry Judy, I worship you but Johanna is the choice on clay and she did not play THAT badly yesterday. Baltacha is simply not match fit enough.

Hope I am proved wrong.

Eek two BPs Argentina. And broken. The last point significant. Laura hitting almost a winner, somehow got back, the bounce is a little awkward and Laura blasts it out...
And now 1-4.
And 1-5 :(

[Hawkeye]

Now down a double break in the third.

[JAMES4578]

oh no Laura saved 2 bps but double faults as Ormaechea goes up 4-1 and two breaks, tough for Laura now and GB if we fail to take this one.

[david1610]

Laura survives two MPs and holds for 2-5
Survives one more but not the fourth (counting?).
Drat.
Put Johanna back in! C'mon Judy!

[silver]

Is the Fed Cup being televised on Sky?

[JAMES4578]

Is the Fed Cup being televised on Sky?

Yes it is on Sky , oh well Argentina take 2-1 lead as Laura couldn't impose herself in the 3rd, some of it down to pressure but don't think she's that comfortable on clay. Hope Elena can keep our hopes alive, but will be tough.

[Hawkeye]

That much was Laura Robson in a nutshell.

[Jan62]

Oh dear. Come on Bally, show us what you've got! Going to be a tough one. And can Laura pull herself up for doubles if it comes to it??

[supergran]

To be fair Hawkeye she didn't really look comfortable on clay......too many errors though and she does need to sort out her serve.

[supergran]

Come on Bally!!

[JAMES4578]

Elena's up against Irigoyen WR 202, a change of plan for Argentina too.

[david1610]

Elena's up against Irigoyen WR 202, a change of plan for Argentina too.
Interesting as well... Commie saying that Elena has to put balls in rather than try and play champagne tennis. Sounds reasonable.
C'mon Elena!
Holds first game.
Still on serve with Elena 3-2. She has had 2 BPs and her opponent 0 as far as I can remember.
3-3 and then Bally is broken. 3-4 Argentina.
Breaks ball 4-4 but then broken again after a DF.
Breaks back 5-5
Could it come down to experience?
C'mon Elena. Let's hold!
But now it is 5-6
Really feel Elena has to take the first set. A long third setter will not be helped by her lack of match practice.
But she does not...

[JAMES4578]

Bally broke back for 4 all but double faults to pit her under pressure again as Argentina try to serve it out but tight affair and another 3 bps, come on Elena!

[Hawkeye]

That's the first set gone.

[JAMES4578]

Disappointing as Bally loses first 7-5, seems a tough ask now.

[david1610]

1-1 BP Argentina. Bally has to keep the ball in play... two weak shots into the next from her give Argentina the break.
Pity because her opponent is really not very good except she knows how to keep the ball in court on a surface like this.

3-3 but Elena again had BPs in fact she has taken 3/11 and her opponent 4/5, which is in danger of being the story of the match.

[JAMES4578]

Break a piece in 2nd and Bally holds to lead 3-2,hopefully she can edge this set and gain the momentum but not that confident at this point.

[david1610]

Break a piece in 2nd and Bally holds to lead 3-2,hopefully she can edge this set and gain the momentum but not that confident at this point.
I think she hits what would be winners or setting up winners on other surfaces, this girl gets them back and eventually she is dumping the ball into the set. .... so frustrating. Just hope if she gets to 15-40 again she takes the first BP!
C'mon Elena!
Well she heard maybe... holds 4-3 and then breaks to go 5-3.

[david1610]

Unbearable... 40-15. Ace called a let. 40-30. Ball sits up a the net. She whacks it out!!!!!! 4
0-40

She gets it on the 3rd SP!

One set all.
Now experience v. clay courter. Will she start to tire or will the adrenalin help?

[Genbrit]

OMG - well done Elena 1-1. She seems to do better when i'm not watching so I'm going back and forth on the stream. Might have to not watch the last set as much as I want to. :)

[JAMES4578]

Unbearable... 40-15. Ace called a let. 40-30. Ball sits up a the net. She whacks it out!!!!!! 4
0-40

She gets it on the 3rd SP!

One set all.


Now experience v. clay courter. Will she start to tire or will the adrenalin help?

Offered the opportunity and Bally took her chance , bit tight in closing it out though but nonetheless well done! Hopefully Elena has the energy to come through.

[david1610]

Break to love to start the third after getting a good massage during the break between sets. 1-0 GB
But broken back 1-1.
Arg hold 1-2.
Bally 30-0 but now 30-40. Would love an ace!

[JAMES4578]

Wasn't going to be straightforward in a match like this, Bally broken back, come on!

[david1610]

And now broken again. Last three games lost.... really need to break back at 1-3
C'mon GB!
As the commie just said, a set too far for her... five games lost on the trot 1-5. Time for the usual gallant loser comments .... her opponent could have been beaten by Johanna Konta, but there you go...
at least Elena gets a bit of a Fed Cup swansong.
And so it proves 6-1.
Two three set matches where we rather fell away in the third set. Oh well. Let's hope we don't have to play away on slow clay courts next year if we can get to this stage again.

[JAMES4578]

It all went awry after the initial break and now 5-1 down, match fitness playing part I'm sure.

[Jan]

:sad:

[Genbrit]

Well, not to be and my not watching didn't help this time!!! :sad:

[JAMES4578]

oh well disappointing, team gave it best shot but couldn't do enough in the crunch stages. of course Bally was a risky choice but obviously Judy thought she had best shot.

[Elenive]

:sad: Oh, they did so well to get into the playoffs too! Oh well, least we still have the davis cup to look forward to later on in the year!

[cazza99]

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/22226123)- Fed Cup: Britain inspired by 'nuts but brilliant' Judy Murray
Jonathan Overend blog

great read

[Steven]

In the new Fed Cup rankings, GB have dropped one place to 17 after losing to Argentina, with them, Poland and Canada all moving ahead of us, while France and the Ukraine have dropped behind us. Yes that's right, we are now ahead of France! ;-)

I've started a new thread for 2014, since we already have a fair bit of info to go on - http://www.andymurrayfanforum.com/forums/showthread.php?1853-FED-CUP-2014-Euro-Africa-Zone-Group-I&p=135104#post135104

[harriet]

this is the 'nuts but brilliant' judy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woU_KVtvmSo) speaking - u-tube with other clips too

[banskogirl]

this is the 'nuts but brilliant' judy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woU_KVtvmSo) speaking - u-tube with other clips too

Brilliant clip, brilliant Judy! Thanks Harriet :thumbup:

[cazza99]

A bit late but https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Yeh08xg7Os&feature=endscreen&NR=1

Its a video of Johanna Konta giving a behind the scenes tour in Argentina