2011 Fed Cup: Svetlana Kuznetsova vs Roberta Vinci – Semi-final Preview
World number 13, Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia will be squaring against the 37th ranked Italian, Roberta Vinci in singles rubber, as Team Russia takes on the two times defending champion, Italy in the semi-final tie
of the Fed Cup on 16thof April at the Sports Palace Megasport, Moscow, Russia. An intense competition is anticipated among the two women as they battle it out for their national pride on Saturday.
28-year-old Vinci had won the last encounter against Kuznetsova, which took place at Beijing in 2010, to level their head-to-head record to 1-1. The two contestants have never competed against each other in Fed Cup ties before.
Right-handed Kuznetsova is well known for her brilliant tennis skills and sheer determination in the game. She has bagged two Grand Slam titles in her 10-year professional career and has reached the best WTA World Ranking of number
two. The Russian veteran can be as devastating as any other top class women tennis player on her day and can always surprise every one with her tremendous efforts.
Rated as number 37 in world rankings, Vinci is reckoned to be the craftiest player in Italian line up. Although she is ranked 23 places below Kuznetsova, her tremendous tennis abilities cannot be underestimated. Vinci is leading
the Italian squad this time round, as two of the biggest names in Team Italy, the world number four Francesca Schiavone and the 20th ranked Flavia Pennetta have renounced from playing in the Fed Cup for Italy. This rested a huge responsibility on
the shoulders of Vinci and puts her under immense pressure on the same time. In the absence of their spearhead players, Vinci needs to deliver her best if the Italians are to defend their Fed Cup title for the second consecutive time.
25-year-old Kuznetsova had been an active member of the Russian team in Fed Cup tournaments, performing memorable feats with her racquet and assisting her squad to win the title three times. Her first participation in the Fed Cup
tournament was in 2004, when she proved her mettle in singles rubbers, as well as doubles matchups to take Russia to the title victory. Kuznetsova missed out the next two editions of the tournament before she made a comeback in 2007 to propel Team Russia to
another championship victory at Fed Cup. She again played a pivotal role in 2008 edition of Fed Cup, with Russia winning the tournament for the second consecutive time.
Team Russia was denied from completing the hat-trick of Fed Cup titles by Italy in 2009, with Roberta Vinci playing her part in the tournament. Vinci has never competed in singles rubber but has always teamed up with Sara Errani
to win the doubles matches for her side. Now when Schiavone and Pennetta are not in the side, Vinci has got her first opportunity to play a singles rubber. Less can be said that how the Italian will perform and tackle the immense pressure of competing against
the better ranked Russian opponent in her home ground.
Talking of experience and mental resilience in the game, Kuznetsova is clearly the favourite in the matchup against Vinci. It shouldn’t be a tough task for the Russian to overcome a lower ranked player who is competing for the
first time in singles rubber. However, Vinci has got all the abilities to craft a surprise at any point in the game and may stretch Kuznetsova to toil a bit harder for a win.
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