(April 21st, 2013) -- On a day filled with dramatic comebacks, we still only know one team who will be competing in the Fed Cup finals later this year.
That's because a rain delay forced organizers of the Czech Republic versus Italy tie in Palermo to reschedule the remaining singles rubber between
Lucie Safarova and
Roberta Vinci to tomorrow with Italy still leading 2-1.
Earlier in the afternoon, rain delayed the start of the first singles match between
Sara Errani and
Petra Kvitova. When play got underway five hours later, it was Errani who took control early. Errani looked on the verge of shutting out Kvitova as Errani jumped out to a set and a break lead over the Czech No. 1 before Kvitova finally raised her game to a whole new level.
Kvitova proceeded to run away with the last eleven games to close out a 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 win.
Makarova Leads Russian Comeback Against Slovak Republic
With their backs to the proverbial wall down 0-2 heading into the second day of their semifinal tie against the Slovak Republic, the Russian team knew they had to work hard.
The comeback started when
Maria Kirilenko beat
Dominika Cibulkova 7-5, 6-1.
But the heroine of the day was
Ekaterina Makarova who was subbed in at the last minute in lieu of
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Makarova took on
Daniela Hantuchova in the second singles rubber with both women using early breaks to go on and take the first two sets respectively.
Though Hantuchova jumped out to a 4-2 lead in the final set, it was Makarova who forced things to 4-all. Despite a bloody knee she suffered when going for a shot, Makarova persevered to complete the score 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win.
Makarova was then back on a court a few hours later as she teamed up with
Elena Vesnina in the deciding doubles match against Cibulkova and Hantuchova.
The match went down to the wire again but it was the Russians who ran away with the final set. A missed volley from Hantuchova when down tie point clinched the 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 win for the Russians.
Germany, Spain, U.S. Advance into World Group for Next Year
Despite
Ana Ivanovic winning both of her singles rubbers for her Serbian team, it wasn't enough as Germany sealed the 3-2 victory in the Germany versus Serbia tie by taking the final doubles rubber 6-2, 6-4.
Spain, as expected, overwhelmed Japan 4-0 with
Carla Suarez Navarro winning the first reverse singles rubber over
Ayumi Morita 6-3, 7-5. The second reverse singles rubber was not played while Spain won the final doubles rubber in straight sets.
Rain once again played havoc with the Australia versus Switzerland tie in Chiasso with all matches cancelled for the day. Organizers will try again on Monday to have all singles rubbers completed.
The U.S defeated Sweden 3-1 in Delray Beach Florida. A recap of today's matches will be posted soon.