HOT SEAT: Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova, the world number eight, will lead her country in the Fed Cup semi-final tie against Italy, to be played in Palermo on April 20-21. (AFP)
Palermo: Holders Czech Republic yesterday named a five-member squad, led by world number eight Petra Kvitova, for their Fed Cup semi-final tie against Italy on clay in Palermo on April 20-21. Besides Kvitova, team captain Petr Pala has called up world number 21 Klara Zakopalova and 25th-ranked Lucie Safarova along with doubles specialists Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka, the world numbers four and five in doubles.
“I’ll make the final decision on the team on the spot depending on the health and shape of the players,” Pala, who can only name four players for the actual tie, said.
The Czechs eased past Australia 4-0 at home in this year’s first round in February, while Italy beat the United States 3-2. Kvitova and Safarova, both left-handed, led the Czechs to two straight Fed Cup victories in 2011 and 2012.
Besides the two recent wins for the Czech Republic, the former Czechoslovakia lifted the Fed Cup five times between 1975 and 1988. Italy won the trophy in 2006, 2009 and 2010.
Federer to play Basel tournament
DPA/Zurich
Roger Federer reinforced his strong hometown ties to the Swiss Indoor tournament with the world number 3 confirming that he expects to play at the event again from October 21.
The presence of the celebrated five-time champion had been in doubt since last autumn’s edition, when Federer’s lucrative appearance contract ran out. Speculation suggested that he and director Roger Brennwald could not come to an arrangement and that the home hero might actually miss the event where he got his start in the game as a ball boy nearly two decades ago.
But Federer yesterday confirmed to Zurich’s Tages Anzeiger newspaper that an arrangement had been reached, though he refused to go into details.
“I will play the Swiss Indoors,” said the 31-year-old, who is in the middle of a training block in Switzerland as he spends his longest spell in the country for years. “I’ve played in Basel over the years, whenever I was not hurt. Everyone knows how much this means to me tournament, and that is still true. I’ve been a ball boy, played in the qualies and even as a junior hit with Andre Agassi.
“I’ve experienced many memorable moments in this unique atmosphere with the great fans, and I am pleased extremely to be able to experience this year. I can play in Basel also no contracts or arrangements, if I feel like it, and I did. To compete on home soil is very special for me because I’m on the road all year. I do not want to miss this chance.”