Fed Cup 2012

RBBOT · Futures qualifying

Fed Cup 2012

steven · Tennis legend

To go with the DC table I started earlier this year, here is a Fed Cup table showing GB ties/venues/captains/results/final positions in Group I since 2005 and Fed Cup ranking data since 2008:

http://bit.ly/rG1hXx

I have had to guess exactly how the ranking points work for Group I because while the Fed Cup site is clear about how round points work in the World Group and how bonus points work in all groups, all it says about round points for the zonal groups is:

Groups I, II and III

In the Groups I, II and III a nation's points are determined by its overall finishing position. Formats vary according to the numbers of nations playing each year so the value of each win alters too. However the maximum points a nation can win at each level remains constant -

Group I - 1,000 points
Group II - 400 points
Group III - 160 points

... and there is no further clarification in the Fed Cup rules. I can access the end-2010 and end-2011 Fed Cup ranking lists, so I have tried to deduce how it works by looking at teams that have only played in one or two of the last four years, but it is clear that it is not simply a case of giving 1000 points to promoted teams and then working down proportionally to 0 points for those that get relegated.

% of ties won in the RR x 600 (i.e. 200 per win in a 4-team RR group and 300 per win in a 3-team RR group) + 200 for a playoff win (assuming it would be 400 for a promotion playoff win) just happens to give me the correct overall total for end-2011 once bonus points are added in and would only be about 30 points out for end-2010, so I have gone for that as a good approximation for now. However, if anyone does happen to know exactly how the ranking points work for Group I, please let me know! (I may email the ITF in the new year and see if they can help - assuming it isn't really the state secret it appears to be LOL)

steven · Tennis legend

The LTA has announced the obvious team of four, with Tara travelling as reserve.

http://www.lta.org.uk/fans-major-events/Fed-Cup/News/2011/Great-Britain-Fed-Cup-Team-Announcement/

Julia Carrot · All-time great

Whilst I like Tara, and it's great that she is getting this boost, Naomi would have been a more useful choice ?

philwrig · Hall of fame

The selection of Tara as travelling reserve has raised a few questions for me.
1. Can't remember us taking a reserve before.
2. Once the comp has started is the reserve able to replace an injured player.
3. Is she travelling just for the experience.
4. Is there a doubt over either Hev's /Laura's fitness.

Maybe because Tara is travelling out there and not likely to participate, Naomi declined that opportunity as first choice believing that she would be better off racking up the ranking points somewhere else rather than basically just carrying out cheerleading duties.

Finally Tara has an exceptional record playing for her country at junior level so potentially an inspired choice anyway.

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, that was my first thought that maybe Naomi had declined the chance. Whatever, I do hope that there are no underlying reasons on either "side" for this. Wouldn't think Judy would be told what to do, so probably OK there.

Maybe no real doubt about Hev and / or Laura's fitness, but given some issues doesn't seem any harm at all to take along a reserve.

I'd pretty much assume ( although don't know ) that, with a four women team, you won't be able to field any reserves once competition has started. I mean you could actually survive with two players.

wolf · Tennis legend

A young Jocelyn Rae traveled as a hitting partner back in 2008 I think, but I would have thought they would have called someone else into the squad if someone had got injured. Tara seems to be first reserve as well as hitting partner.

Peter too · Tennis legend

Team nominations:-
http://www.fedcup.com/en/news/articles/zone-group-nominations-announced.aspx

steven · Tennis legend

The draw is happening right now ...

steven · Tennis legend

GB are in Pool C with:

the Netherlands (Rus, Krajicek, Schoofs, Bertens)
Israel (Peer, Glushko, Shlomo, Khazaniuk)
Portugal (de Brito, Koehler, Luz, Moura)

A medium hard draw ... or possibly a very hard one indeed if the winner of C plays the winner of D, which includes Poland & Romania - not by any means certain, since while this was the case in 2010, it was A v D and B v C in 2011.

-- Edited by steven on Monday 9th of January 2012 10:22:45 AM

steven · Tennis legend

The top 2 from each other team in our pool are:

NED 1 - Arantxa Rus WR 79 (lost to Anne in Fed Cup in 2009)
NED 2 - Michaëlla Krajicek WR 91 (CH 30 in 2008 - beat Laura at AO Q 2010 and Anne in Sydney at the weekend)

ISR 1 - Shahar Peer WR 37 (CH 11 last Jan)
ISR 2 - Julia Glushko WR 209 (CH 161 last Oct)

POR 1 - Michelle Larcher de Brito WR 148 (CH 76 in 2009 - lost to Anne in Memphis in 2009 and 2010 and to Hev, also in Memphis, in 2011)
POR 2 - Maria Joao Koehler WR 222

Unless otherwise stated, they have not played any of the GB team. Similarly, where no CH is shown, it means it is not far above their current ranking.

GB have the best numbers 3 and 4, obviously. The only other team in the Pool with additional players in the top 400 is NED with Schoofs WR 162 and Bertens WR 181.

At first sight, GB would be favourites to win at least 2-1 against ISR and POR, but the match against NED could go either way. Given Anne's record against the two Dutch players, it might be good if Krajicek overtakes Rus in the rankings over the next 2-3 weeks!

steven · Tennis legend

LTA reporting that the winner of Pool C plays the winner of Pool A (EST/AUT/BUL), which won't be any easier than winning Pool C in the first place, but preferable to having to play the winner of the POL/ROU pool, I would say.

philwrig · Hall of fame

At least we have avoided Poland.
Netherlands were very good last year and have a strong team bond, so will be marginal favourites against us, although it basically could go either way.
Israel will come down to the doubles in all probability, which could go either way.
Portugal should be a comfortable victory.

It will take a very good performance to qualify, I'd say maybe a 15% chance.

philwrig · Hall of fame

What will be particularly interesting is the selection of the singles/doubles players.
At the moment I see Bally as still our number one despite an indifferent start to the season, she usually shines at the Oz open so hopefully will get back to her best form there.
Number 2 to me is a tight call, and I would pick it based on the matchup that day. ( either Anne or Hev )
Doubles pairing would then be Laura with (Anne/Hev). Whoever doesn't play the second singles . Laura has played well with both Anne and Hev in the past.

Obviously if Laura had a great Oz open she would have to be considered for a single spot. I think it is important that the two doubles players are fresh and haven't played singles, as it is a long week.

Julia Carrot · All-time great

I would have thought Laura would be a strong choice for singles, if fully fit. It's just the sort of high pressure occasion that she's at her best in.