2009 Fed Cup draw announced
Fed Cup finalists Russia and Spain each drew difficult first-round ties for next year’s competition.
Russia will face this year’s Fed Cup semi-finalists China at home, while Spain will travel to face the Czech Republic.
The draw for the 2009 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group and World Group 2 was made in Madrid ahead of the final, immediately after the draw for this weekends final.
Idiots guide to the Fed Cup final
Top seeds and defending champions Russia face five-time champions Spain in this years final in the Spanish capital at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid on outdoor clay on Saturday September 13 and Sunday September 14.
Vera Zvonareva will launch Russia’s title defence against Anabel Medina Garrigues in the opening singles rubber.
The full order of play is as follows:
Saturday
Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) v Vera Zvonareva (RUS)
Carla Suarez-Navarro (ESP) v Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)
Sunday
Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) v Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)
Carla Suarez-Navarro (ESP) v Vera Zvonareva (RUS)
Nuria Llagostera Vives / Virginia Ruano-Pascual (ESP) v Elena Vesnina / Ekaterina Makarova (RUS)
Debate: Spain v Russia – who will win?
First round draw for Fed Cup 2009 World Group
(seeds in bold, home nation first)
1. Russia v China
2. Czech Republic v Spain
3. France v Italy
4. USA v Argentina
World Group 2 draw
1. Slovak Republic v Belgium
2. Ukraine v Israel
3. Serbia v Japan
4. Switzerland v Germany
The first round matches in both groups take place on 7-8 February 2009.
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