Fed Cup 2016 - Europe/Africa Group 1

paulisi · Tennis legend

Fed Cup 2016 - Europe/Africa Group 1

wolf · Tennis legend

I presume these will be the seeding brackets based on Fed Cup rankings.

Sweden 21
Great Britain 23
Croatia 25
Hungary 26

Ukraine 30
Turkey 31
Belgium 33
Georgia 34

Israel 35
Portugal 37

Bulgaria 42
South Africa 43

Latvia 52
Estonia 53

Edited after realising I had Bulgaria as the top seeds after getting Bulgaria and Belarus mixed up.

-- Edited by wolf on Saturday 9th of January 2016 01:40:13 AM

paulisi · Tennis legend

RE: Fed Cup 2016 - Europe/Asia Group 1

WavenNarsam · Lower Club Player

If those are the seedings, group 2 looks particularly nasty. I would only fancy Turkey of those four. Ukraine have had a bit of a resurgence last year. Belgium have a lot of depth and Bulgaria will always be dangerous with Pironkova in the side.

Mervatron · Masters Series Champion

Isn't this group Europe/Africa?

Long time reader · Lower Club Player

Fed Cup 2016 - Europe/Africa Group 1

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, seems on the face of it an unnecessary diversion for Laura, but I am sure Judy and Laura must have discussed it so presumably they see pluses.

Certainly looks like being Jo, Heather and Jossanna again, and the doubles girls did well last year. My preference for the week remains ideally 3 singles players in the team of 4, especially when some have such doubles capability. Last year we simply lacked a third singles player at a good enough level, so ultimately the selection made sense, and we had to hope Jo and Heather stayed healthy. This year we do have Naomi, so it does suggest the LTA / Broady issues have played a part here in some way. Ongoing pity if so.

-- Edited by indiana on Monday 4th of January 2016 04:09:18 PM

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

I would expect Laura's nomination is more of a token gesture than anything else. Also, she might need to be available for selection to be eligible for the Olympics (even though the possibility of Laura qualifying is remote). Katie will be going for the experience and Jo, Heather and Jossanna will form the main squad barring injury.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Also think Laura is good for team morale, and suggests we might see a better version of Laura when we see her comeback later in the month.

wolf · Tennis legend

indiana wrote:
Yes, seems on the face of it an unnecessary diversion for Laura, but I am sure Judy and Laura must have discussed it so presumably they see pluses.

Certainly looks like being Jo, Heather and Jossanna again, and the doubles girls did well last year. My preference for the week remains ideally 3 singles players in the team of 4, especially when some have such doubles capability. Last year we simply lacked a third singles player at a good enough level, so ultimately the selection made sense, and we had to hope Jo and Heather stayed healthy. This year we do have Naomi, so it does suggest the LTA / Broady issues have played a part here in some way. Ongoing pity if so.

I know what you mean about cover, but personally I would rather have a specialist doubles pair and let them concentrate on the doubles and the singles players concentrate on the singles Joss & Anna went 3-0 last year, while Joss & Heather went 0-2 the year before.

Although I would definitely want Naomi in reserve in case something happens before it starts, so I would agree it seems she is not available for selection.

Kounosuke · Intermediate Club Player

tony_orient wrote:
I would expect Laura's nomination is more of a token gesture than anything else. Also, she might need to be available for selection to be eligible for the Olympics (even though the possibility of Laura qualifying is remote). Katie will be going for the experience and Jo, Heather and Jossanna will form the main squad barring injury.

I think she's planning on using her SR to get in to the Olympics.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Kounosuke wrote:
tony_orient wrote:
I would expect Laura's nomination is more of a token gesture than anything else. Also, she might need to be available for selection to be eligible for the Olympics (even though the possibility of Laura qualifying is remote). Katie will be going for the experience and Jo, Heather and Jossanna will form the main squad barring injury.
I think she's planning on using her SR to get in to the Olympics.

Is that an option ? If so it's a definite yes I would say.

LordBrownof · Futures level

Her PR runs out at Eastbourne. Sorry.

philwrig · Hall of fame

LordBrownof wrote:
Her PR runs out at Eastbourne. Sorry.

Good point, have to say I'm not even sure the PR could be used at an Olympics anyway. Potential WC as current silver medallist is a very long shot.

LordBrownof · Futures level

I imagine Andy will play singles and doubles with his brother, and leave the mixed anyway.

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