2011 Fed Cup: Belgium vs Czech Republic – Semi-final Preview
With the first round wrapped up successfully a few weeks back, the teams of Belgium and the Czech Republic now get ready to meet each other in the semi-final of the 2011 Fed Cup on Saturday.
In the only meeting between the two countries Czech Republic secured a comfortable 3-0 in the World Group first round in 1989. The tournament was used to be a weeklong event then. Czech Republic is making a third straight appearance
in the Fed Cup semifinals. They were thrashed out by USA in 2009 and in last year’s edition of the tournament they lost to the eventual champions Italy. Team Czech will be hopeful for their first final appearance at the prestigious competition.
Czech Republic has a more powerful squad. The inform Petra Kvitova will be leading the side. Kvitova has been in terrific form. She has claimed two WTA title since the start of this season and made it to the fourth round at the
2011 Australian Open. Her match will be crucial as she will be looking to provide a good platform to the Czech team. Safarova along with Iveta Bensova and Barbora Zahlavova will be competing for the remaining three singles spots.
Belgium on the other hand have reached the semifinal at Fed Cup for the first time since 2006. In the first round Belgium defeated USA 4-1. Belgium has also won its last four homes ties at the tournament.
The Belgians bring youth and experience to the contest. The team captained by former Belgian tennis-pro Sabine Appelmans includes Yanina Wickmayer, Kirsten Flipkens, An-Sophie Mestach and Alison Van Uytvanck. Kim Clijsters was
forced out due to a shoulder and a wrist injury.
"I think this is a great pity," said Clijsters on her official website. "The Fed Cup is something I was really looking forward to, but I felt that something was out of the ordinary. There were too many minor ailments, one after
the other, which did not seem to disappear. Something like that gets into your head."
Yanina Wickmayer has been in great form over the last few months. In absence of Belgium’s top ranked player, she will be leading the Belgian team. Flipkens is also a very talented player who has achieved considerable results
on the WTA tour throughout her career.
Mestach and Uytvank are the fresh faces. The both have played very limited tennis at the WTA level however both have good record on the ITF circuit.
Considering their strength, depth in attack and experience at the international level, Czech Republic is expected to win the tie comfortably against Belgium. However, if the fresh faces in the Belgium’s side rise to the occasion,
they can certainly surprise their opponent.
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