Fed Cup 2012 World Group 2 – Slovakia:France

Lots of tennis and lots of photos. I spent the last weekend in Bratislava at the Fed Cup tie between Slovakia and France and witnessed some nice matches. In the end, Slovakia won the tie 3:2, secured the april play-off spot and will have the chance to advance to Fed Cup World Group 1, which we lost rather unfortunately in a tie against Serbia last year. France was a formidable oponent even though both Daniela Hantuchova and Dominika Cibulkova are much higher in the rankings than French players who play in Fed Cup. But rankings make little or no difference in tennis team competitions like Fed Cup or Davis Cup and it showed in the very first match. Daniela Hantuchova (no. 20) spent three hours battling Pauline Parmentier (no. 62). In fact, all singles matches were close even though score might not show it. I had a good time, but I have to seriously consider upgrading and/or adding some gear. A small fishing stool for sure, a new camera … that too 🙂

The results:
Daniela Hantuchova : Pauline Parmentier – 5:7, 6:1, 9:7.
Dominika Cibulkova : Virginie Razzano – 4:6, 4:6.
Dominika Cibulkova : Pauline Parmentier – 6:3, 6:4.
Daniela Hantuchova : Alize Cornet – 6:3, 6:4.
Magdalena Rybarikova, Jana Cepelova : Virginie Razzano, Kristina Mladenovic – 1:6, 2:6

The photos can be found on my Slovak blog afte following these links:
Photos from Sunday: http://hutera.blog.sme.sk/c/288649/Fed-Cup-SlovenskoFrancuzsko-Nedela.html
Phots from Saturday: http://hutera.blog.sme.sk/c/288521/Fed-Cup-SlovenskoFrancuzsko-Sobota.html
Photos from Friday Draw Ceremony: http://hutera.blog.sme.sk/c/288325/Fed-Cup-SlovenskoFrancuzsko-zrebovanie.html