Fed Cup 2017 World Group II Play-Off - Romania v Great Britain - 22-23 April

indiana · Tennis legend

Fed Cup 2017 World Group II Play-Off - Romania v Great Britain - 22-23 April

FriendofLouieG · Lower Club Player

Not convinced Simona will play. Her form is not that great at the moment so if she does play I would fancy Johanna to beat her.

Heather should be able to give both Irina and Monica a decent test!

I see this tie as fair game for Team GB. Be positive!

-- Edited by FriendofLouieG on Wednesday 15th of February 2017 11:16:55 AM

philwrig · Hall of fame

An interesting stat, and 1 that doesn't make good reading for the GB team, since 2012 there have been 10 countries who have come through the Zonal playoffs and played the WG 2 playoffs, and only twice have they not won those playoff matches. Both times you guessed it was US, so what it tells you, is that in general, the winning teams from the Zonal group have huge momentum, and are on the up. So maybe this time we can confirm the stat, and not be the exception to the rule ! Romania beware !!

PaulM · Tennis legend

philwrig wrote:
An interesting stat, and 1 that doesn't make good reading for the GB team, since 2012 there have been 10 countries who have come through the Zonal playoffs and played the WG 2 playoffs, and only twice have they not won those playoff matches. Both times you guessed it was US, so what it tells you, is that in general, the winning teams from the Zonal group have huge momentum, and are on the up. So maybe this time we can confirm the stat, and not be the exception to the rule ! Romania beware !!

And of course the first time round we lost to another zonal group winner, Sweden!

skibbarriz · Strong Club Player

It'd be nice if the tie was next week. A consequence of this promotion format is that it becomes an examination of player availability and maintenance of good form of the team that has earned the promotion chance due to 1 weeks work in Feb. And the struggling WG that was perhaps out of form or had players unavailable has time to pull things together. But that's the last of any of that you'll hear from me. For today.

Anyways it's gonna be a tough ask and the girls will truly have earned their spurs if they come through this tie. It's an opportunity for a monumental victory and just like Leon's lads years ago, they key is to set your team goals and think positive. They definitely have the means to win promotion.

wimdledont · Challenger level

Konta v Halep?

Konta

Konta v Begu?

Konta

Konta v Niculescu?

Konta

indiana · Tennis legend

Konta v Konjuh ?

Konjuh

Konta v clay

Invariably clay

wimdledont · Challenger level

Hi Indi,

I disagree, partiallly...

Leaving Konjuh to one side, Jo is not so shabby on clay. In 2015, when her results really started to pick up, it started on clay.

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

I think the jury is still out on what Jo can achieve on clay, and we will find out much more this year. The problem could be, if the tie is on clay, it will be early on in the clay season. It might take Jo a bit of time to adjust from the hard courts, whereas for Romania Halep and Begu are more naturally at home on the surface. Niculescu on the other hand is not a clay court fan.

Could Jo beat Halep and Begu on clay? Yes. Could Heather beat Begu on clay? Also yes. Could all three happen on one weekend? That's where it becomes a lot less likely, but but by no means impossible.

LordBrownof · Futures level

I don't want to understate the clay factor but it's also about weather conditions. Jo on clay in hot conditions where the ball moves through the air quicker would be a much trickier customer.

philwrig · Hall of fame

A lot will depend on who wants it more on the day, and I think that's were we have the advantage, we are DESPERATE to get out of this group, Romania are on a bad run in this competition.

vohor · Grand Slam Champion

Yes it's a tough draw but I'm quietly confident we can get this done; here's hoping anyway...we need another victory selfie with that hat, phil :)

verveandsolley · Junior player

Some advice please... a mate and I are well up for going to this. Are others here thinking likewise?

is there a deadline when Romania have to make decision about venue/surface? For those who have done previous (philwrig I'm talking to you) is it simplest to sort everything on your own or is it worth being in touch with anyone re packages? Do I need to be member of anything in pRticularcto secure tickets?

the addict · Tennis legend

I believe they have 21 days from the date of the draw to submit the questionaire with the details of the venue.

PaulM · Tennis legend

It's likely to be Cluj (direct flights available from London and Birmingham on Friday and Monday) but they could plump for Bucharest.

One option, depending on what your airport situation would be, would be to book the cheapest direct flight in and out of Romania to one or the other now, then book the internal flight if needed once announced.

I won't make it this year sadly but if it was Cluj, then from Glasgow I'd probably prefer to be on the only direct flight to Bucharest then transfer to Cluj, rather than fly to London/Brum for the direct Cluj flight. So with that in mind, it would be a no brainer if I was going to just get the Bucharest flight booked now, then wait and see if I need transfers.

But if you stay near an airport where both are direct options I can see why you might want to hold off.

There are unlikely to be package event deals for this I suspect.

-- Edited by PaulM on Sunday 19th of February 2017 07:23:19 PM