Fed Cup 2011

RBBOT · Futures qualifying

Fed Cup 2011

philwrig · Hall of fame

I think Bally and then 3 from Anne, Heather, Laura and Sarah.
Team usually announced start of December, don't know about venue announcement.
I think if you pick one of the youngsters you have to pick the other.
I'm assuming of course Laura will make herself available.

indiana · Tennis legend

I'd certainly agree with it being Bally and then 3 from Anne, Heather, Laura and Sarah.

My inclination at the moment would be to leave out Sarah, which is maybe a bit harsh. But I think Laura has shown really good aptitude for doubles and could certainly play the doubles, most likely with Anne or Heather.

DavidC · Tennis legend

Bally, Anne, Sarah & Laura with Heather as reserve.

Successful experience is a big asset in playing Fed Cup, and playing 2 newcomers would be very risky. Sarah plays a vital role as a doubles specialist, with the doubles often being decisive.

Maza1987 · Challenger level

Bally, anne, sarah and heather.

Tennis36 · Masters Series Champion

laura>heather ,all day, but i would still have heather in instead of sarah, its not like she's at the top of the doubles game

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, you may be right David, I was humming and hawing a bit re Sarah.

If picking her it would be more for what she brings as a doubles specialist than particularly experience, though all things being equal that is obviously useful. I would not be overconcerned about having both Laura and Heather there if they were considered good enough, and I still I think lean that way myself.

However, I do not really understand Phil's point about if you pick one, you have to pick the other. If it is thought that the best overall team has just one of them in it then so be it. If it is some question about not upsetting one, then I don't agree. The most important thing is that what is considered the best Fed Cup team is selected.

-- Edited by indiana on Monday 27th of September 2010 11:58:04 PM

Maza1987 · Challenger level

Tennis36 wrote:

laura>heather ,all day, but i would still have heather in instead of sarah, its not like she's at the top of the doubles game

Maybe your day, brother. But not mine.

indiana · Tennis legend

I've copped out on the Laura vs Heather one, because I'm honestly not sure.

Although both would probably be in my team at the moment, if Anne and Sarah are both showing particular form closer to selection time then it is a choice that may have to be made.

alex03maccy · Grand Slam Champion

Bally, Sarah, Laura, Heather

Harsh on Anne but someone has to miss out and personally I think having a doubles specialist is vital. Think laura and heather have both shown enough form this year to merit it and I honestly think they can give anyone a run for their money on their day. I also think it is a great time to blood these two with the combined experience of bally and sarah and also that they can debut together as they get on well and one day will lead the team together.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Ahh interesting debate, do you play the doubles specialist Sarah or do you have four singles players ?

Given this a bit of thought and decided probably yes to give the team balance, but as per Monty with the RC team Sears must have an individual who can pair up with Sarah and make a good doubles team, otherwise its a bit pointless.

So my team unless Anne comes back to her best form before team announcement would be Bally, Heather, Laura and Sarah. I don't subscribe to the fact that playing 2 rookies is risky, as both are junior grand slam winners and thus have shown they can perform under the highest pressure. Fresh blood could well give the team an additional spark, enough to give them an outside chance of getting through this time. One caveat to this selection is that Nigel is very close to Anne.

RBBOT · Futures qualifying

I'm not so sure that having a doubles specialist is vital - not when you've only got one of them. If you have a regular pairing then there would be no question that they should go.

Here's a thought - how about Laura/Heather as a doubles team?

Sounds mad at first, but they've played together 6 times in the past year whereas Bally/Sarah haven't played since 2 wins in last year's fed cup. Anne has played twice with Sarah and once with Heather, all losses.

Laura/Heather have 3 wins this year (including a win over Sarah/Mel) and 3 losses (including a 4-6 4-6 to Huber/Mattek-Sands 4-6 4-6 which is respectable given the opposition).

They've also both won Grand slam doubles matches (as have Bally & Sarah) playing with weaker partners: Laura made the Australian QF with Sally Peers and Heather made the 2nd round at wimbledon with Jos Rae. Also if Laura's schedule is anything like last year, Hopman Cup mixed doubles and AO doubles would be a good warm up for it.

On the other hand, if the venue is red clay, I wouldn't even put Laura in the team given her lack of experience/success on that surface in Juniors or Seniors.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Red clay you would have thought unlikely in Europe at the beginning of February.
So no clear concensus, only that Bally should play, and 3 from the other main 4.

RBBOT · Futures qualifying

You would. Who gets to choose the surface - the hosts or the ITF?

indiana · Tennis legend

Katie not getting a mention just now, and she wouldn't currently be in my side. But with I believe about 3 months left till the team is due to be selected, she could yet put herself back in contention.