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United States v. Belarus – Fed Cup by BNP Paribas 2012, World Group II First Round

Staff — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:33:36 +0000

DCU Center Worcester, Mass. * February 4-5, 2012 PREVIEW NOTES – DAY ONE The United States will look to take its first step in regaining its Fed Cup World Group status for 2013 when it faces Belarus at the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group II First Round. Play begins Saturday, February 4, at 1:00 p.m. ET on an indoor hard court at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. This is the first-ever meeting between these two nations in Fed Cup. The U.S. team includes both Serena Williams and Venus Williams. They are joined by American teenager Christina McHale, who is currently ranked a career-high No. 38 and is the No. 2-ranked American behind Serena Williams, and world No. 1 doubles player Liezel Huber. Sloane Stephens, the daughter of the late New England Patriots running back John Stephens, is serving as the fifth member of the team. The Belarusian team features new world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, who defeated Maria Sharapova in the 2012 Australian Open final to claim her first Grand Slam title. Tatiana Poutchek is serving as captain for the team. ORDER OF PLAY The opening day of play in the best-of-five match series features each country’s No. 1 singles player against the No. 2 player from the opposing country. The exact order of play (which country’s No. 1 plays first) was determined at the Official Draw Ceremony on Friday, February 3, in Worcester. The second day of competition begins on Sunday with the “reverse singles,” starting with each country’s No. 1 player squaring off followed by the No. 2 players and then the doubles match. Each match is best-of-three-sets. DAY/TIME MATCH PAIRING Saturday, 1:00 p.m. ET Singles A: Christina McHale (USA) vs.Victoria Azarenka (BLR) Singles B: Serena Williams (USA) vs. Olga Govortsova (BLR) Sunday, 12:00 p.m. ET Singles C: Serena Williams (USA) vs. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) Singles D: Christina McHale (USA) vs. Olga Govortsova (BLR) Doubles: Venus Williams/Liezel Huber (USA) vs. Victoria Azarenka/Olga Govortsova (BLR) DOMESTIC TELEVISION SCHEDULE Tennis Channel will present daily coverage beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET on Saturday and 12:00 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Visit the Bank of the West Classic at the SAP Open, February 13-19

Staff — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:23:02 +0000

The Bank of the West Classic Team will be at the 2012 SAP Open, held February 13-19 at HP Pavilion in San Jose, with information about the Bank of the West Classic as well as drawings for free tickets and giveaways. Come see us on the main concourse and then check out the best in men's tennis in the Bay Area. 2012 SAP Open Confirmed Players: Andy Roddick, John McEnroe, Gael Monfils, Milos Raonic, Sam Querrey, Lleyton Hewitt, Donald Young, Xavier Malisse, Jack Sock, Tommy Haas and many more.... Schedule of Play: Monday, February 13 - 7:00pm John McEnroe (USA) / Milos Raonic (CAN) vs. Gael Monfils (FRA) / Jack Sock (USA) - Featured Doubles Exhibition Match followed by A Featured Main Draw Match Tuesday, February 14 - 7:00pm Sam Querrey (USA) - 1st Round Singles followed by Tommy Haas (GER) - 1st Round Singles Wednesday, February 15 - 7:00pm Andy Roddick (USA) - 2nd Round Singles followed by Milos Raonic (CAN) - 2nd Round Singles Thursday, February 16 - 7:00pm Gael Monfils (FRA) - 2nd Round Singles followed by Featured Main Draw Match For Great Seats and Ticket Packages call 408-ACE-2121 or visit www.sapopentennis.com Ultimate Experience Pro-Am info: Here's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Play in the SAP Open doubles Pro-Am on Sunday, February 12 with Sam Querrey, Jack Sock and Xavier Malisse. To learn how to sign up and return Querrey's huge serve... call Lynley Takaki at 408-977-4758 or email ltakaki@sharkssports.net

Montpellier, France: Latest Update (02/04/12)

Staff — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:41:42 +0000

© "DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE" Singles - Quarterfinal: (1) T Berdych def. N Mahut 6-3 6-4 This has been a great event for Frenchmen, but of course Tomas Berdych is the strongest player in the field by a wide margin. Berdych has now matched his eighteenth event; additional points will count. Singles - Quarterfinal: (2) G Simon def. G Rufin (WC) 7-6(7-5) 6-7(2-7) 6-2 Gilles Simon is definitely earning his points the hard way -- but at least he earned some. This match counted for him. Although he needs one more win to clinch the #12 ranking. Singles - Quarterfinal: (3) G Monfils def. (8) J Nieminen 6-3 6-3 Still no points for Gael Monfils, but he costs Jarkko Nieminen any chance to rise above #45. Monfils still has a shot at #12 -- if he wins the title here and Gilles Simon loses his next match. Singles - Quarterfinal: (7) P Kohlschreiber def. (4) R Gasquet 6-2 3-6 6-3 So close to having the top four seeds in the semifinal.... But Richard Gasquet loses his chance to make the Top Fifteen. Philipp Kohlschreiber is up to probably #31; a final would make him Top Thirty. Doubles - Semifinal: (3) Hanley/J Murray def. Brown/Zovko 6-3 3-6 10-5 (Match TB) © "DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE"

FAMILY CIRCLE CUP TO EXPAND QUALIFYING DRAW

Staff — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:04:26 +0000

Total Prize Money Increases from $711,000 to $749,160 Charleston, S.C. (February 3, 2012) – The Family Circle Cup will expand its singles qualifying tournament from its current 32-player draw to a 48-player draw during the 2012 tournament. Qualifying matches will be held beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1, throughout the Family Circle Tennis Center. Marking the tournament’s 40th year, the Family Circle Cup will be held March 31 – April 8, 2012 at the Family Circle Tennis Center in the Best Tennis Town in America, Charleston, S.C. “Our opening weekend will be an unbelievable value for spectators looking to enjoy world class talent. Family Circle Cup fans are very knowledgeable and appreciate the high level of play on display during our opening weekend.” said Bob Moran, Family Circle Cup Tournament Director. The expanded qualifying draw will result in an increase of total qualifiers advancing to the main draw, from eight to twelve, as well as an increase in total tournament prize money, from $711,000 to $749,160. Two additional qualifying wild cards will also be generated by this expansion, which have traditionally been granted to young Americans who greatly benefit from participation in this WTA Premier Event. Family Circle Cup qualifying Grounds Passes are free for children 12-and-under with the purchase of an adult Grounds Pass. Adult Grounds Passes are only $10.00 and offer admission to all matches, as well as practice sessions, including those inside Family Circle Stadium. For information on Ticket Packages, Individual Session Tickets, Travel Packages, Team Getaways, visit FamilyCircleCup.com/Tickets. The Family Circle Tennis Center, home of the Family Circle Cup and World TeamTennis Finals Weekend, is a public facility owned by the City of Charleston and operated by Meredith Corporation that also hosts a variety of additional events including concerts, festivals, tennis tournaments and other activities throughout the year. The Tennis Center features a 10,200 seat stadium, Grand Lawn, 17 tennis courts lighted for night play, Pro Shop, and a full service event management staff capable of handling all aspects of an event including ticketing, operations, sales, marketing, public relations, and food & beverage. Charleston, South Carolina was named was named the “No. 1 tourist destination in America” in the 2011 Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards, and Charleston was also voted the “Best Tennis Town in America” in a 2010 USTA contest. Family Circle is the longest running title sponsor of a sporting event in the United States, as well as in all of professional tennis, world-wide. With over 21 million readers, Family Circle is one of the most widely read monthly magazines in America and is one of 14 leading subscription magazines owned by Meredith Corporation. The Family Circle Cup receives four days of live broadcast domestically on ESPN2, and is viewed internationally in over 25 countries, featuring over 200 hours of live and delayed global broadcast time, reaching 8.54 million viewers worldwide.

PRO TOUR NEWS — WOMEN

Staff — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:44:02 +0000

Fed Cup There are some zonal results, of course. But you can read about those at the Fed Cup web site as well as we can. The big non-surprise is that Li Na and Zheng Jie are helping China bounce their zonal rivals. They can expect promotion, and China will have several spots in the Olympic field. It will be interesting to see how much Li and Zheng play Fed Cup after this year -- there is a fair chance that both will have retired before the 2016 Olympics....

ITF increases use of Hawk-Eye in Davis Cup by BNP Paribas and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas

Staff — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:52:27 +0000

The ITF announced today that it is further increasing the use of electronic line-calling review in its official team competitions, Davis Cup by BNP Paribas and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas, starting with this weekend’s Fed Cup World Group first round ties on 4-5 February. In 2012, the Hawk-Eye Officiating system will be used in all rounds of the Davis Cup and Fed Cup World Group, plus the Fed Cup World Group play-offs. The decision was taken by the ITF Board of Directors at its meeting in November 2011. The ITF previously extended its use of electronic review in 2011 to include the Davis Cup quarterfinals and Fed Cup semifinals. The system is only used on ties played on hard court and grass court. Electronic review was first used in Davis Cup at the 2006 Final between Russia and Argentina in Moscow. Its use was extended to the Fed Cup Final in 2007 and the Davis Cup semifinals in 2010. ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said: “The increased use of electronic review in our major team competitions reflects their status in the tennis calendar, and the expectations among fans. It was another extremely successful year for Davis Cup and Fed Cup in 2011, with strong player participation, good attendance and excellent media coverage.” Juan Margets, ITF Executive Vice President and Chairman of the Davis Cup Committee, added: “We have received a positive response from our National Associations, team captains and players on our increased use of electronic review, and we believe it is important to continue this progress in our team competitions.”

« WILD-CARDS » POUR REZAÏ ET PARMENTIER

Staff — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:30:15 +0000

Aravane Rezaï et Pauline Parmentier viendront renforcer le contingent français au 20e Open GDF SUEZ, qui se déroulera du 4 au 12 février 2012 au Stade Coubertin à Paris. La direction du tournoi a accordé une « wild card » aux deux joueuses, qui intégreront donc directement le tableau principal aux côtés de Marion Bartoli, 7e joueuse mondiale et tête de série numéro 2 ici à Coubertin. Rezaï sort d'une saison 2011 des plus difficiles, qui l'a vue chuter en dehors du top 100 en fin d'année. Auparavant, elle s'était hissée à la 15e place du classement WTA en octobre 2010 grâce notamment à des succès à l'Open de Suède et surtout à Madrid, tournoi WTA Premier où elle a battu Venus Williams 6-2, 7-5 en finale, se qualifiant ainsi pour le Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions à Bali. La Stéphanoise d'origine iranienne n'a que 24 ans et compte bien relancer sa carrière en 2012, commençant par une bonne performance ici à Paris. Parmentier a terminé la saison 2011 au 74e rang mondial grâce à deux victoires en tournoi ITF, à Marseille et Biarritz. Elle est surtout devenue une des clés de voûte de l'équipe française de Fed Cup, glanant des points précieux face à Christina McHale et Julia Goerges – deux joueuses qu'elle pourrait rencontrer de nouveau cette année à l'Open GDF SUEZ. La grande (1,75 m) droitière vient de fêter ses 26 ans et avait déjà disputé les qualifications ici il y a six ans. Ce sera en revanche la sixième participation pour Rezaï, qui compte quatre victoires pour six défaites à Coubertin. Rezaï bénéficiera également d'une wild-card en double, tout comme Alizé Cornet. La Niçoise, âgée de 22 ans, fait aussi partie de l'équipe de Fed Cup de Nicolas Escudé et a déjà remporté deux titres en doubles dames, à Budapest en 2008 et à Strasbourg en 2010. Amélie Mauresmo, co-directrice du tournoi pour la deuxième année, avait déjà réussi à construire un plateau de rêve pour cette 20e édition de l'Open GDF SUEZ avec la participation Maria Sharapova, Marion Bartoli, Li Na, Sabina Lisicki et Jelena Jankovic. Au fil des années, le tournoi est devenu un des rendez-vous incontournables du circuit international de tennis féminin. Les meilleures joueuses ont toujours participé à l'Open GDF SUEZ qui a également contribué à mettre en lumière le tennis féminin français. Le tournoi a vu s'épanouir chaque génération de joueuses depuis 20 ans et a consacré Julie Halard-Decugis (première gagnante française en 1996), Mary Pierce (vainqueur en 1998) et bien sûr Amélie Mauresmo, trois fois vainqueur (2009, 2006 et 2001) en 13 participations.

Interview: VICTORIA AZARENKA AND BELARUS FED CUP CAPTAIN TATIANA POUTCHEK

Staff — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:45:58 +0000

Feb. 2, 2012 VICTORIA AZARENKA AND BELARUS FED CUP CAPTAIN TATIANA POUTCHEK THE MODERATOR: Questions, please. Q. Can you tell us what the last few days have been like for you since you came back from Australia, how you're feeling now as the new world No. 1. VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, it's a great feeling. I don't think it's really hit me yet. I've been busy doing a few off-court activities, also dealing a little bit with the jetlag from Australia is difficult. It feels great. But I'm here to support my team and just arrived today. Kind of still feeling the team spirit. Q. You went from Australia right to L.A.? VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yes. Q. Take us how the last couple days have gone for you. VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, I was resting. I did a show, a talk show with Ellen DeGeneres. Went to see Kobe Bryant play for the Lakers. That's pretty much it. A little bit of resting, relaxing, that's it. Q. Was there a point in the match with Maria Sharapova where you thought you could win it? VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, I was really focusing trying one point at a time, not thinking ahead too much, because that's one of the biggest mistakes I think to do during the match, if you think too much ahead. I was really trying to play one point at a time. That's it, keep going. Q. When you go to sleep at night do you feel like the No. 1, Grand Slam champion? VICTORIA AZARENKA: No, I go to sleep exactly the same way. I sleep on my stomach as I was before (laughter). That's pretty much it. Of course, I'm really proud. It's a great feeling to have. But I just want to work hard and try to keep the same motivation as I have now. Q. What is it like playing on this surface out here? How have you found it? VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, it was my first time out there today. Just finished practice. It's a little bit different, I would say. It's a little bit crooked. But, I mean, it's the same for everybody. The bounce is a little bit tricky here. It bounces really high. But, I mean, in Australia it was also kind of similar, high. I have a little bit of time to adjust. It's good. Q. Do you feel more pressure being on the No. 1 ranked player in the world, from your team, to kind of carry them? VICTORIA AZARENKA: No. I mean, we are a team. That's what it's all about. It's not only one person. It's about teamwork, team spirit. No, no pressure. I just met them today. Q. Do you feel more of a challenge now that you are the top-ranked player in the world? Other players are looking at you and are wanting to take you on specifically? VICTORIA AZARENKA: It's definitely going to be more challenging. A lot of people are going to have more motivation. But I feel like being No. 1 I want to work as I'm No. 2. Q. Venus Williams hasn't played since the US Open. Serena Williams has an injured ankle. Are you preparing as they will be the two singles players you'll face or does it matter to you? VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, we'll see. I mean, the U.S. has a great team. Yeah, Venus didn't play for a while. But she's not a beginner. She knows how to play tennis. Doesn't really matter. Serena has been showing some tennis I think lately. I don't know about her ankle. It's not my part. But I'm preparing for her to be a hundred percent, and that's it. Q. Talk about the challenge of facing Venus and Serena. Would you relish the chance to play them? VICTORIA AZARENKA: Venus, yes, I haven't played her in a while. I just played her in an exhibition match, which was pretty irrelevant comparing to now. But, I mean, they're both tough players. As I said, they know how to play tennis. They know how to handle big matches. Fed Cup is completely different than when you play for your own. It's different matches. We've seen in history very different results. So we'll see how it goes. Q. Do you have a preference of which of the two sisters you'd like to open the tournament with? VICTORIA AZARENKA: There’s no preference really. It's like you have preference more when you choose your dinner or lunch. Q. Now that you've won your first slam, what's the next goal for you? VICTORIA AZARENKA: Another slam. Q. After he won the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic went a long time without losing. Are you planning on winning for a while? VICTORIA AZARENKA: No, I'm planning on losing my next match. It's just a very silly question, I think. Q. What kind of mental attitude does it take to be the best at anything? VICTORIA AZARENKA: I'd say it's a lot of hard work and dedication to be a real professional 24/7. It's not only when you step on the court you have to try to be professional and be your best. It's all the details and all the things you do off the court, which are sometimes more important than when you perform. Q. Most matches are Saturday. Will there be time to talk about your games and how you can help one another? VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, for sure. But we know each other pretty well. The girls on the team, I’ve know since I was 10 years old, actually even younger. I mean, we go for official dinner, bring like a board and draw some plans. No, I mean, we'll see. We're going to have team meetings like every team does. But we just try to stay loose and keep our focus for Saturday. Q. You played a lot of Fed Cup matches. What is it that you love about Fed Cup that makes you want to keep coming back and playing for the team? VICTORIA AZARENKA: I'm a patriot of my country. I think it's important for all the athletes to participate and play for your country. We do it pretty much all year long, like Olympic Games. But it's a special event. It's the only the event where we play as a team. It's fun. I think it's important. Q. What has the reaction been like in Belarus? VICTORIA AZARENKA: You should ask my captain. CAPTAIN POUTCHEK: She doesn't know yet. VICTORIA AZARENKA: I haven't been there. My mom told me a little bit, that people were really happy. I'm really proud of that. For me the most important is that it brings extra motivation for kids to go out there and chase their dreams, believing in themselves. Hopefully we'll have more competition with the juniors. That's what's missing right now. I hope this kind of a breakthrough would help the inspiration for the young ones. Q. Were you in Belarus? CAPTAIN POUTCHEK: Yeah, I was. It was huge. I would say it's like, I don't know, 80% or 90% of population was watching, like everybody. Everybody was on TV watching the match. It was spectacular. Everybody talking only about Victoria, about the first Grand Slam, about having her No. 1 in the world for the first time. It's huge. Q. Are you going to do anything, like in Serbia, where you go on a balcony and wave to everybody? VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't know if we have the balcony. CAPTAIN POUTCHEK: We'll find one. But now it's too cold to go on the balcony. Q. What do you think will happen when the team returns home? VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, it's not going to be for a while. We have our plans after. I have my tournaments after here. So it's a little bit difficult, you know, to go back because it's going to be a lot of attention. I would like to stay focused and keep going through the year. Of course, I'm going to go home, but when I have a little bit longer break, when I can give a little bit of time and attention for people, for media, plus have some attention for myself and for my family. Q. After Miami? VICTORIA AZARENKA: Maybe before Indian Wells. But don't write it. Q. What is your advice for aspiring athletes to be No. 1, just athletes in general? VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, I always think and say that you always have to have fun. You know, when you do something that you love, that you enjoy doing, even though it's hard, it's never going to be easy. But when you have fun, you always going to do it better because you give your heart, you give your passion into it. You put the best chances and your best attitude on your side. I think the result becomes more productive. Q. What makes tennis fun for you? VICTORIA AZARENKA: The atmosphere, the game. I mean, I have huge passion for the game. My first coach taught me that love of the game. It's difficult to explain with the words. But it's the feeling every time you step on the court, it's like you're in this bubble that people are focusing on you, and you try to produce the best as you can, you're trying to be the best as you can. But you have another person who's trying to do the same. So it's this battle. As funny as it sounds, you enjoy that battle. When it's hard, when it's pain, when it's hot outside, you enjoy it. Q. Did you get a chance to talk with Kobe? VICTORIA AZARENKA: I wish. I was sitting there and he looked at me a few times. I was like, Oh, my God. My mom was so happy to watch how he was playing. She was like, Oh, my God, he's unbelievable. It's amazing to see it live. It was my first time as well. It's pretty remarkable. Q. Super Bowl is coming up. Who do you think will win? VICTORIA AZARENKA: I'm not really big football fan. But I think it's a great game. I'm just not that into it. But I think it's very interesting game. When I get to know few athletes, it becomes more and more interesting. I would love to follow it more. My fitness coach is crazy about it, checking live scores when we were practicing and stuff. Whoever my team is cheering for I'm going to cheer for. Q. If Belarus is able to beat the U.S. what would that mean for you personally and professionally? CAPTAIN POUTCHEK: Well, I mean, I of course would be very happy for my team and for the result. I think it's going to be great for us to move one step forward to the World Group. VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think we should talk about it on Sunday. It's too early to speak about it.

Tennis Europe to Honor Spanish Federation

Staff — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:40:04 +0000

© "DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE" Tennis Europe has announced that Spain is to be presented with the 2011 European Tennis Trophy for Overall Tennis Performance. The race to the Trophy, which takes into account the performances of representatives from all 49 Tennis Europe member nations across the main competitive disciplines of the sport throughout the year, was the closest-ever, with the top four nations separated by less than 250 points. Spain’s Davis Cup by BNP Paribas victory at the end of the season was key to its success, securing the nation an 8th Professional Tennis Trophy as well as enabling them to leapfrog Russia, France and the Czech Republic to secure the Overall Performance crown for the fifth time, and first since 2002. In addition, Spain finished 5th in Junior Tennis, equaled its best-ever performance in Seniors Tennis (#8), and recorded its highest- ever finish (#4) in the Wheelchair Tennis category. Elsewhere in the Professional Tennis category, 2010 winners Russia slipped to second place, ending just 22 points ahead of third-placed Czech Republic, who finished in the top three for a second time in three years. Neighbors Slovakia made the biggest climb, rocketing eight places to enter the top 10 for the first time since 2005, at #9. Russia reclaimed the Junior Tennis Trophy from France to win the category for the seventh time in eight years. Junior tennis provided some of the most remarkable year-on year improvements, including those of Romania (from #8 to #4 in this subcategory), Croatia (#18 to #8), Switzerland (#21 to #12), Slovenia (#26 to #14), Estonia (#33 to #17) and Greece (#38 to #25). Germany once again dominated the Senior Tennis Trophy, winning the title for a 21st consecutive year, with three times as many points as second placed Italy, who beat Austria into the runner-up spot. The 2011 prizes will be awarded at a special ceremony during the Annual General Meeting of Tennis Europe in Lyon in March. © "DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE"

ITF Announces Davis Cup Team Nominations for February 10-12

Staff — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:42:01 +0000

© "DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE" The ITF has announced the official team nominations for the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group first round ties, taking place on February 10th-12th. In addition, Zone Group I and II first round ties are also being played on the same dates. The team nominations for these ties are currently being compiled and will be announced in due course. Follow all the action on the official Davis Cup by BNP Paribas websites: www.daviscup.com and www.copadavis.com.

WORLD GROUP FIRST ROUND

SPAIN v KAZAKHSTAN Venue: Palacio Municipal de los Deportes, Oviedo, ESP (clay – indoors) SPAIN Nicolas Almagro Marcel Granollers Juan Carlos Ferrero Marc Lopez Captain: Alex Corretja KAZAKHSTAN Mikhail Kukushkin Andrey Golubev Yuriy Schukin Evgeny Korolev Captain: Yegor Shaldunov AUSTRIA v RUSSIA Venue: Arena Nova, Wiener Neustadt, AUT (hard – indoors) AUSTRIA Jurgen Melzer Andreas Haider-Maurer Alexander Peya Olivier Marach Captain: Clemens Trimmel RUSSIA Alex Bogomolov Mikhail Youzhny Nikolay Davydenko Igor Kunitsyn Captain: Shamil Tarpischev CANADA v FRANCE Venue: Thunderbird Sports Centre, Vancouver, CAN (hard – indoors) CANADA Milos Raonic Vasek Pospisil Frank Dancevic Daniel Nestor Captain: Martin Laurendeau FRANCE Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Gael Monfils Julien Benneteau Michael Llodra Captain: Guy Forget SWITZERLAND v USA Venue: Forum Fribourg, Fribourg, SUI (clay – indoors) SWITZERLAND Roger Federer Stanislas Wawrinka Marco Chiudinelli Michael Lammer Captain: Severin Luthi USA Mardy Fish John Isner Ryan Harrison Mike Bryan Captain: Jim Courier CZECH REPUBLIC v ITALY Venue: CEZ Arena, Ostrava, CZE (hard – indoors) CZECH REPUBLIC Tomas Berdych Radek Stepanek Lukas Rosol Frantisek Cermak Captain: Jaroslav Navratil ITALY Simone Bolelli Daniele Bracciali Andreas Seppi Potito Starace Captain: Corrado Barazzutti SERBIA v SWEDEN Venue: Hala Cair, Nis, SRB (hard – indoors) SERBIA Janko Tipsarevic Viktor Troicki Ilija Bozoljac Nenad Zimonjic Captain: Bogdan Obradovic SWEDEN Michael Ryderstedt Carl Bergman Filip Prpic Robert Lindstedt Captain: Thomas Enqvist JAPAN v CROATIA Venue: Bourbon Beans Dome, Hyogo, JPN (hard – indoors) JAPAN Kei Nishikori Go Soeda Tatsuma Ito Yuichi Sugita Captain: Eiji Takeuchi CROATIA Ivan Dodig Ivo Karlovic Antonio Veic Lovro Zovko Captain: Zeljko Krajan GERMANY v ARGENTINA Venue: Stechert Arena Bamberg, Bamberg, GER (clay – indoors) GERMANY Florian Mayer Philipp Kohlschreiber Philipp Petzschner Tommy Haas Captain: Patrik Kuhnen ARGENTINA Juan Ignacio Chela Juan Monaco David Nalbandian Eduardo Schwank Captain: Martin Jaite © "DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE"