http://www.fedcup.com/news/newsarticle.asp?articleid=11194

Newcomer Israel was handed the toughest possible start to its first World Group campaign when the draw for the 2008 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas was made in Moscow, immediately following the draw for the 2007 Final. Russia, bidding for a third Fed Cup title this weekend, will be Israel's opponent but at least the Israelis can look forward to its first-ever home Fed Cup tie.

Second seed Italy will have a home tie against Spain, while third seed France faces a tricky trip to China. If both seeded nations win France and Italy will meet in Fed Cup for the third year in a row. The other tie sees USA at home to Germany. The first round ties take place on February 2-3, immediately after the Australian Open.

In World Group II, Belgium has a first-time match-up with Ukraine and Argentina and Austria also meet for the first time in over 20 years. Slovak Republic has opportunity to avenge this year's defeat to neighbours Czech Republic while Croatia travels to Japan.

2008 World Group

Russia (s) v Israel (c)(*)

USA(s)(c) v Germany

China, P.R (c)(*) v France(s)

Spain v Italy (s)(c)

Seeded Nations - accorded to ITF Fed Cup Nations Ranking: 1. Russia, 2. Italy, 3. France, 4. USA


2008 World Group II

Belgium (s) v Ukraine (c)(*)

Japan(s)(c) v Croatia

Slovak Rep v Czech Republic(s)(c)

Argentina (c)(*) v Austria (s)

Seeded Nations - accorded to ITF Fed Cup Nations Ranking: 1. Belgium, 2. Austria, 3. Czech Republic, 4. Japan

Key
(s) = seeded nation
(c) = choice of ground
(*) = choice of ground decided by lot

Ties to be played 2-3 February.

Argentina :banana:

come on, China :D

peng shuai vs momo

yan zi vs marion :lol:

when will be choose venues??? :drool: :confused:

Romania ???

Argentina :)!

I T A L I A
:worship: :worship: :worship: :worship: :worship: :worship:

when will be choose venues??? :drool: :confused:

The Israel-Russia Tie will be held in Ramat Hasharon,near Tel-Aviv.
This is an outdoor complex.
The organizers are wakling here on thin ice, because of possible rain.

Hope China will pass through the first round!
Beat Bartoli!

China come on ~~

belguim

with Henin? :banana:

momo wont play :p

Vamos Argentina!!! :bounce:

For the argentinians, anyone knows about the tickets for the match against Austria?

Claudio :bounce:

ITALY-SPAIN (2-3 Feb. Palavesuvio, Napoli). Official website: www.italiaspagna2008.com (http://www.italiaspagna2008.com) twitter: www.twitter.com/tennisitaspa (http://www.twitter.com/tennisitaspa)

Austria :rocker:

http://www.fedcup.com/news/newsarticle.asp?articleid=11229

USA v Germany tickets
Tickets are on sale now for the 2008 Fed Cup First Round tie between USA and Germany.

This match up will take place on February 2-3 at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club in California and sees three-time Grand Slam champion Lindsay Davenport make her first singles appearance in the United States since the 2006 US Open.

The former World No. 1 made a remarkable comeback to the game last season following an 11-month absence to have her first child, with a 13-1 record in three singles events following the US Open, winning titles at Bali, Indonesia, and Quebec City, Canada.

“I am honoured to represent my country on the U.S. Fed Cup team once again,” said Davenport. “My Fed Cup appearances have given me some of the best memories of my career and I look forward to La Jolla and helping our team advance to the semifinals.”

Tickets for the two days can be purchased by calling (888) 334-USTA (8782) or online at www.ticketmaster.com with prices ranging from $60 to $300.

Sharapova named in Fed Cup team
Maria Sharapova has been named in the Russian team to play in their first round tie against Israel. in Tel Aviv.

Russia captain Shamil Tarpishchev has also selected world No. 6 Anna Chakvetadze, 16th-ranked Dinara Safina, Elena Vesnina and doubles specialist Elena Likhovtseva. World No. 2 Svetlana Kuznetsova is missing the trip due to personal reasons.

Tarpishchev said he would select the four players for the February 2-3 tie during his team's training camp in Israel. "They have (Shahar) Peer ranked in the world top 20 and they will be playing at home, so it won't be an easy match by any means," said Tarpishchev.

Sharapova, hopes to finally make her Fed Cup debut for Russia after being forced to miss last year's final against Italy because of a shoulder injury.

http://www.fedcup.com/news/newsarticle.asp?articleid=11235

Interview with Shahar Peer
Shahar Peer looks forward to Israel's debut in the World Group and discusses their chances against current champions Russia.

Interview with Shahar Peer (http://www.fedcup.com/shared/medialibrary/audio/mp3/FC_4208_mp3.MP3) (MP3 format)

http://www.fedcup.com/news/newsaudio.asp?articleid=11238

Italy select Errani
The Italian Federation have announced that World No. 65 Sara Errani has been called up by Italy for the first time for the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas tie against Spain.

The 20-year-old will join Fed Cup veterans Tathiana Garbin, Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone in the World Group first round match in Naples on February 2-3.

Italy, who won the competition in 2006 and were runners-up to Russia last year, are without Mara Santangelo and Roberta Vinci because of injury.

"This is still a strong team with the new addition of Sara Errani, who has done very well recently. Like all Fed Cup matches it has to be considered difficult," Italy coach Corrado Barazzutti told FIT's website.

http://www.fedcup.com/news/newsarticle.asp?articleid=11236

It's great Sharapova will play Fed cup :banana:

good luck team russia :)

Slovaks name Hantuchova
Daniela Hantuchova has been named in the Slovakian squad for Fed Cup tie against the Czech Republic, although it is unsure where or not she will actually play. She will make a final decision once the Australian Open is over.

"Daniela promised us last year to represent at least at one match at Fed Cup. We hope it will be this attractive game with the Czechs," captain Mojmir Mihal said in a news conference in Bratislava

The other Slovak players joining the current world No. 9 are Dominika Cibulkova, Magdalena Rybarikova and Janette Husarova. Kristina Kucova, a will stand in for Hantuchova if she decides not to make the trip.

http://www.fedcup.com/news/newsarticle.asp?articleid=11240

WORLD GROUP FIRST ROUND

ISRAEL v RUSSIA
Venue: Canada Stadium, Ramat Hasharon, Israel (hard - outdoors)

Israel
Shahar Peer
Tzipora Obziler
Keren Shlomo
Julia Glushko
Captain: Oded Jacob

Russia
Maria Sharapova
Anna Chakvetadze
Dinara Safina
Elena Vesnina
Captain: Shamil Tarpischev

USA v GERMANY
Venue: La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, USA (hard - outdoors)

USA
Lindsay Davenport
Laura Granville
Ashley Harkleroad
Lisa Raymond
Captain: Zina Garrison

Germany
Tatjana Malek
Julia Gorges
Sabine Lisicki
Anna-Lena Groenefeld
Captain: Barbara Rittner

CHINA, P.R. v FRANCE
Venue: Beijing International Tennis Center, Beijing, China, P.R. (hard - indoors)

China PR
Na Li
Shuai Peng
Jie Zheng
Zi Yan
Captain: Hong-Wei Jiang

France
Marion Bartoli
Amelie Mauresmo
Virginie Razzano
Nathalie Dechy
Captain: Georges Goven

ITALY v SPAIN
Venue: PalaVesuvio, Naples, Italy (hard - indoors)

Italy
Francesca Schiavone
Flavia Pennetta
Tathiana Garbin
Sara Errani
Captain: Corrado Barazzutti

Spain
Anabel Medina Garrigues
Lourdes Dominguez-Lino
Virginia Ruano
Nuria Llagostera Vives
Captain: Miguel Margets Lobato

http://www.fedcup.com/news/newsarticle.asp?articleid=11239

Bammer is out

Good luck Ashley ;)
Glad to see her get nominated, hope she plays over Granville, she's in much better form.

Interview with Mary Joe Fernandez:
http://www.fedcup.com/news/newsaudio.asp?articleid=11242

Come on French Team ;)

Bartoli and Mauresmo out of French team (http://www.fedcup.com/news/newsarticle.asp?articleid=11243)