By Erik Gudris | Wednesday, February 5, 2014

 

The U.S. Fed Cup team, lead by Christina McHale, find themselves entering exciting if unknown territory when they take on Italy this weekend in Cleveland, Ohio.

Photo Credit: Corleve

Despite a long history of playing against each other, both the U.S. and defending champion Italy will rely on several newcomers in their upcoming first round tie in Cleveland, Ohio.

21-year-old Christina McHale finds herself leading a group filled with players making their Fed Cup debuts, including Lauren Davis, Madison Keys and Alison Riske. Though all have been touted as being part of the next wave in U.S. women's tennis, no one is sure what to expect when they take the court for the first time in Fed Cup action.

With both countries fielding relatively inexperienced teams, the winner of the opening round tie will come down to who handles the situation better. Speaking at a pre-event press conference, U.S. Fed Cup Captain Mary Joe Fernandez talked about the pros and cons of having such a young team.

"Well, I think first of all it's exciting to have young members, new members on the team. Christina is our experienced one, the veteran at the prime old age of what, 21? And I think Alison is our oldest player at 23. So you bring a lot of excitement and energy and enthusiasm when it's your first time. You get this great experience to represent your country," Fernandez said. "So those are all pluses. I don't really see any negatives. Obviously not having played under the pressure of Fed Cup before you never know how someone is going to handle it. I think that's a positive regardless because of the experience and the feedback you get in it. For me, really it's all positive."

Riske, who along with Davis, recently reached the third round of the Australian Open, and she hopes that will give her an extra boost of confidence heading into the weekend.

"Playing in a big event, and especially a Grand Slam and to get a couple wins is always something that boosts your confidence and helps you throughout the rest of the year," Riske said. "Hopefully we can carry that over. Like Mary Joe said, Fed Cup is a bit of a different animal, so you don't know what's going to come from it. Absolutely the Aussie Open has given me confidence."

Though Italy enters this tie as defending champions, they too are hoping their mostly young team will find a way to victory. Karin Knapp, currently ranked No. 40 in the world, has played in two previous ties. But Camila Giorgi, Nastassja Burnett and Alice Matteucci will also make their Fed Cup debuts in Cleveland.

"I think will be a tough match, very talented match. They are young team, so we come here to try hard to win this match and we know that will be difficult," said Italian Fed Cup Captain Corrado Barazzutti. "The court is okay. The stadium is very, very nice. It's a theater, I think, so it's first time I think for the players, too, to play in this atmosphere."

McHale, who has competed in several Fed Cup ties, may find herself being leaned on for experience by the Americans.

When asked if she could give any advice for her fellow teammates, McHale said, "I think everyone here has come to a Fed Cup before, so I think they already have some experience. I mean, it's such an honor to play for your country, so just giving it everything you have, which we always do. I think that's the best advice."

The U.S. leads the overall head-to-head versus Italy 9-3 but is seeking its first win over the Italians since 2003.