FED CUP 2017 - Euro/Africa Zone Group 1 - Tallinn, Estonia (week commencing 6 Feb)

the addict · Tennis legend

FED CUP 2017 - Euro/Africa Zone Group 1 - Tallinn, Estonia (week commencing 6 Feb)

PaulM · Tennis legend

I'm so stunned, so happy and so proud.

Fantastic, what an effort. Home time in April please!!

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Fantastic

I agree that it seems there were a few dodgy captaining decisions, but we weren't there so don't really know what happened in the discussions.

So what happens now, who do we play (and how is that decided), when/where do we play, and what is the format? I'm ashamed to say I don't know very much about Fed cup, especially with it not being televised.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Superb.... I had to go away and let it play out, as we all know Hev consistently out performers herself when it is for the greater good. I wonder who she will play doubles, both ladies and mixed with this Wimbledon? Jo and Dan would make life very interesting for us punters!

indiana · Tennis legend

Missed all the happenings today, but I gather that it was all pretty straightforward

Well done !!!

And my choice of doubles pair came good, Hev & AN Other.

the addict · Tennis legend

Helen40 wrote:
Fantastic I agree that it seems there were a few dodgy captaining decisions, but we weren't there so don't really know what happened in the discussions.

So what happens now, who do we play (and how is that decided), when/where do we play, and what is the format? I'm ashamed to say I don't know very much about Fed cup, especially with it not being televised.

According to the rules, the draw must be made no later than 10 days after the concusion of the previous round - so not long to wait.

As for the opposition, one of the losing teams from the first round of world group 2. I've no idea whether the play offs are best of three or best of rubbeers - I assume the latter

AliBlahBlah · All-time great

Moment of victory: https://twitter.com/BritishTennis/status/830438807237488641

Wakey · Junior player

the addict wrote:
Helen40 wrote:
Fantastic I agree that it seems there were a few dodgy captaining decisions, but we weren't there so don't really know what happened in the discussions.

So what happens now, who do we play (and how is that decided), when/where do we play, and what is the format? I'm ashamed to say I don't know very much about Fed cup, especially with it not being televised.
According to the rules, the draw must be made no later than 10 days after the concusion of the previous round - so not long to wait.
As for the opposition, one of the losing teams from the first round of world group 2. I've no idea whether the play offs are best of three or best of rubbeers - I assume the latter

Based on last years draw I think we can also get any of the promoted teams so could be one of

Kazakhstan

Canada/Chile

Poland/Serbia

or one of

Austrlia (who lost to Ukraine)

Russia/Tapai (1 all at the moment)

Romania/Belgium (Belgium are 1 up but a break down in the deciding set of the 2nd rubber)

Italy/Slovakia (Italy 1 up)

Having looked into it further seems 4 teams get seeded so we would get one of those.

The rankings of those in the mix are

Russia

Italy

Australia

Romania

Belgium

Slovakia

Tapai

Canada

Poland

So will be one of those depending who wins each tie

-- Edited by Wakey on Saturday 11th of February 2017 04:12:18 PM

skibbarriz · Strong Club Player

Brilliant. I've never been more pleased with or pleased for Hev. She's simply had a stunning week and shown her value to GB tennis.

the addict · Tennis legend

World Group 2 is best of 5, so Australia are still in it against Ukraine, although 2-0 down

indiana · Tennis legend

the addict wrote:
Helen40 wrote:
Fantastic I agree that it seems there were a few dodgy captaining decisions, but we weren't there so don't really know what happened in the discussions.

So what happens now, who do we play (and how is that decided), when/where do we play, and what is the format? I'm ashamed to say I don't know very much about Fed cup, especially with it not being televised.
According to the rules, the draw must be made no later than 10 days after the concusion of the previous round - so not long to wait.
As for the opposition, one of the losing teams from the first round of world group 2. I've no idea whether the play offs are best of three or best of rubbeers - I assume the latter

Yes, the April home and away World Group 2 play-off ties will be best of 5. If as previous, that will be two singles on Day 1 and reverse singles plus a doubles match on day 2.

The 8 competing teams will be the 4 losers from the World Group 2 home & away matches being played today and tomorrow :

Russia vs Chinese Taipei

Romania vs Belgium

Ukraine vs Australia

Italy vs Slovakia

Plus the 4 promoted teams into the play-offs ;

Europe/ Africa : Great Britain and Poland or Serbia

Americas : Canada or Chile

Asia / Oceania : Kazakhstan

So essentially we just know 2 of the 8 so far, ourselves and Kazakhstan.

My understanding is that the 8 teams will produce 4 seeds from the Fed Cup rankings before the draw. And the options for GB at this stage still include another promoted team as well as a World Group 2 loser. Last time we got to this stage, in 2012, we faced the other European promoted team, Sweden, away.

The four winners in April next play at the start of 2018 in World Group 2. If we lose, heaven forbid, it is back next year to a week of Europe/Africa Group 1 again in Estonia or wherever.

skibbarriz · Strong Club Player

It's hard to have an opponent to wish for in the playoffs while we don't know whether their best players are going to make themselves available or not. Poland is a fine tie without Aga, but with, not so much.

Wakey · Junior player

the addict wrote:
World Group 2 is best of 5, so Australia are still in it against Ukraine, although 2-0 down

Seriously this makes me think even more that Fed cup is a joke. Why are some best of 3 others best of 5. Makes the whole thing even more complicated

AliBlahBlah · All-time great

Wakey wrote:
the addict wrote:
World Group 2 is best of 5, so Australia are still in it against Ukraine, although 2-0 down
Seriously this makes me think even more that Fed cup is a joke. Why are some best of 3 others best of 5. Makes the whole thing even more complicated

No, it's sensible.
WGII is the level up from what we just played, Europe/Africa Group I

WGII just play one country at that level, over two days.
Group I plays 2-4 countries over 4 days depending upon progression.
You couldn't fit in reverse singles on three consecutive days.

indiana · Tennis legend

The World Group 1 and 2 and associated play-offs are home and away best of 5 rubbers over 2 days.

The regional groups are all I assume like the Europe/Africa group 1, here in Estonia, a series of group ties at one location, each best of 3, which end up with promoted and relegated teams.

Edit: basically as Ali said, and I agree pretty sensible with a clear distinction between the World home & away ties and the week long regional groups where best of 5 would not be practical.

-- Edited by indiana on Saturday 11th of February 2017 04:28:53 PM