Grading the Field: Looking back at Fed Cup and the ATP Week that Was
By Chris Oddo Photo Credit: AP Photo/Misha Japaridze
With so much Fed Cup action and three ATP 250 events taking place last week, there are a lot of grades to hand out today. Let’s get right to it:
The Heads of the Class:
Alisa Kleybanova A+
According to a tennis.com, the former world No. 20 has finished chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and is contemplating resuming off-court training in the near future. Absolutely fantastic to hear that things are going well for the Russian, who has been missed a great deal since her medical leave of absence began last year.
Robert Vinci A+
Vinci’s 17th consecutive Fed Cup doubles win, a tie-clinching triumph alongside Flavia Pennetta, gave the Italians a spot in the Fed Cup semis. Some of Vinci’s doubles victims during the streak? Liezel Huber, Nadia Petrova, Justine Henin and Rennae Stubbs. Not bad at all.
Venus Williams A+
She was already going to get an A for her hairstyle and massive hoop earrings with the word “Venus” written in them, but after taking the court with Liezel Huber and winning a doubles match, we’re bumping her up. Let’s hope this is just the beginning of a push to make the Olympics for Venus.
Petra Kvitova
A+
Kvitova lost the first set in each of her matches over the weekend, but each time she rallied, taking out Julia Goerges and Sabine Lisicki in dramatic fashion, and improving her run of indoor victories to 27 in the process.
Serbia A+
The Serbs overcame Ana Ivanovic’s no-show and Jelena Jankovic’s injury to notch their first ever World Group victory on the road against Belgium.
Honor Students
Juan Monaco A
Monaco endured a grueling clay court battle with compatriot Carlos Berlocq in the Vina del Mar final to notch his first title since 2007. It was Monaco’s third final in Vina del Mar, and his first title there. "The third time is lucky they say, so this time it's true," he said.
Mikhail Youzhny A
Youzhny’s title in Zagreb, his first since 2010, moves him up to No. 32 in the rankings. When he’s firing on all cylinders, Youzhny’s versatile, classic strokes are an absolute pleasure to watch.
Carlos Berlocq A-
The big-hitting Argentine didn’t have the stamina to hang with Juan Monaco in the final, but reaching his first ATP final puts him in the top 50 for the first time in his career just a few days after his 29th birthday.
Christina McHale A-
The spunky American didn’t get a chance to face Victoria Azarenka in Fed Cup play this weekend, but she did set the tone for the Americans with a dominating win over Azarenka’s replacement, Anastasiya Yakimova. McHale’s first career Fed Cup win got the ball rolling for the Americans, and the look on her face when it was over was priceless.
Kimiko Date-Krumm A-
At least a decade older than anyone else on either the Japanese or Slovenian teams, KDK scored a massive win in the first rubber against higher-ranked Polana Hercog on Saturday.
China B+
It’s hard to fathom why China isn’t vying for the Fed Cup title. They have been on the rise for years in terms of Grand Slam play, but when it comes to Fed Cup a lack of player participation (especially by Li, who is China’s all-time Fed Cup win leader) has plagued their results in the competition in recent years. That said, it’s nice that Li Na and Shuai Peng were able to get the Chinese back into the World Group II playoffs with a win in the Asia/ Oceana Zone Group 1 this weekend.
Sam Stosur B+
Stosur answered the bell for Australia, winning two straight-setters to get the Aussies back into the World Group playoffs in April. Perhaps that will help to erase some of the sting from Stosur’s disappointing play in Australia last month?
Detention Center
The International Tennis Hall of Fame F
Sorry, but nothing but a big fat F is possible when you deny Nick Bollettieri acceptance for the second time in three years. “What haven’t I done?” said Bollettieri. Our sentiments exactly.
Serena Williams A
Serena is the only player in the world who can be put on detention and still get an A, but we believe some discipline is necessary after her racquet-smashing tirade and first set walkabout yesterday against Anistasiya Yakimova. Still, she gets the high marks for showing up, for helping the Americans avoid further Fed Cup relegation, and for being the most quotable woman that the sport has ever seen.
Maria Sharapova B
Great to see Sharapova playing and winning a Fed Cup match for Russia, but her last-second withdrawal on Sunday left Nadia Petrova hanging out to dry. “Psychologically it was very difficult to prepare,” said a miffed Petrova, who went on to get shellacked by Carla Suarez Navarro, 6-0, 6-3.
Looking Ahead: Fed Cup World Group match-ups for April 21-22
Russia-Serbia: Russia will host emerging Serbia, which has never beaten Russia in three previous tries.
Czech Republic-Italy: Defending champs CzechRepublic will host Italy for a spot in the final. The Italians will come in as an underdog even though they have won the last four ties against the Czechs.