Victoria Azarenka cautious of Christina McHale in the Fed Cup – Tennis News
Belarusian number one, Victoria Azarenka will square off against the world number 38, Christina McHale, in the Belarus and America clash at the 2012 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas this weekend. United States is the host at this Fed Cup duel at the DCU Center, Worcester,
Massachusetts.
The Belarusian, who won her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open last week, stated that she will be cautious against the American rising star McHale. She also stated that the support from the home crowd will help her 19-year-old rival, who dumped
the 24th seed Lucie Safarova in her opening round match at the Australian Open.
"I think she's a very good player," said the blooming Belarusian. "She has a lot of motivation playing in front of the home crowd. She's had some good results, played some good matches against top players and had a few big wins, so she's a dangerous opponent."
Azarenka recently secured the top rank at the WTA rankings after crushing a former world number one, Maria Sharapova, with a bagel in the final showdown at the Melbourne Grand Slam.
McHale was chosen over Venus Williams as the second singles player by the US Captain Mary Joe Fernandez after looking at her recent performance at the first Grand Slam, Australian Open. Williams on other hand is making her comeback after pulling out from
the US Open due to the auto-immune disorder Sjogren Syndrome.
"Christina is very match-fit," Fernandez commented. "She had a great Australian Open and is very prepared and ready to go.”
Azarenka will face McHale in their first match between the two countries who are facing each other for the first time.
The 22-year-old will square off against a former world number one, Serena Williams, in her reverse singles match on February 5th.
The highest ranked player in this tournament, Azarenka, is also competing in the doubles event. She will team up with Olga Govortsova to battle the experienced American pair of Liezel Huber and Venus Williams.
The winners of this World Group II tie will reach the World Group playoff. They will get a shot to secure a place in the elite group and compete for the title in 2013.
Tags: