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By Erik Gudris | Sunday, February 9, 2014

 

Germany capped off a winning weekend in Bratislava thanks to a straight sets result by Angelique Kerber to send her team into the Fed Cup semifinals.

Photo Credit: AP

After years of fielding many talented teams, Germany finds itself in the Fed Cup semifinals for the first time since 1995.

That is in large part to the efforts of their top player Angelique Kerber who again displayed solid form in the first reverse singles rubber on Sunday. She needed to against her opponent, hometown heroine Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia.

Kerber wrapped up the first set 6-3 and was a few games away from completing a convincing straight sets win.

But Cibulkova, urged on by the crowd, fought hard as she served twice to stay in the match. Cibulkova's fight carried over in a second set tiebreak that saw her climb out to a 4-2 lead.

Tremendous shotmaking from Kerber allowed her to pull even with Cibulkova. By keeping the pressure on, Kerber forced a final error from Cibulkova to wrap up the 6-3, 7-6(5) win.

The second reverse singles rubber was not played and Slovakia won the doubles rubber.

Kerber's victory prompted the German team to celebrate winning the tie 3-1 over Slovakia. It was the first opening round win in Fed Cup for Germany since 2002 and now sends them into the semis for the first time since 1995.

"I had so much emotion from the team," Kerber said to FedCup.com. "It was tough, so I was just trying to play point-by-point. I think I played well, I moved well, I mixed it up well, sometimes aggressive, sometimes defensive, and I’m so happy that we’re now through."

Germany will next face Australia who overwhelmed Russia to win their tie in Hobart 4-1.

Spain Waiting for Rain to End in Seville

Rain continues to play havoc in the World Group tie between Spain and the Czech Republic taking place in Seville. With Spain leading 1-0, the second singles rubber from Saturday finally got underway.

But with Klara Zakopalova leading Spain's Maria-Terese Torro-Flor 6-3, 2-0, rain once again suspended play.

Officials announced that they will attempt to finish all matches in the tie on Monday.

France and Poland Squeeze Out Wins in World Group II

It came down to a live doubles rubber for several teams competing in the first round of World Group II action this Sunday.

Though 16-year-old Belinda Bencic of Switzerland won both her singles rubbers, she came up just short in the final doubles rubber against France.

Alize Cornet and Kristina Mladenovic beat Bencic who paired with Timea Bacsinszky 7-5, 6-4. That gave France the 3-2 win in their tie.

Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland was also called up for doubles duty to settle her country's tie against Sweden.

Radwanska, along with Alicja Rosolska, defeated Sofia Arvidsson and Johanna Larsson 6-2, 6-2 to complete a 3-2 win for Poland.

Canada, led by Eugenie Bouchard, advanced 3-1 over Serbia. Argentina defeated Japan 3-1 in their tie played in Buenos Aires.


 

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