Li Na out of Fed Cup, China loses to Uzbekistan

Without Australian Open runner-up Li Na, who is injured due to leg cramp, China lost to Uzbekistan 3-0 in Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Group I on Friday.

In the playoff for a slot in World Group II, Uzbekistan will face Japan, which was unbeaten in Group B.

(Image via Sina Sports)

Fed Cup: Serbia bites!

Looks like Jelena Jankovic of Serbia is sending out a strong message to Spain when they meet in Fed Cup playoff this weekend.

The other 6 countries who will battle it for places in the 2010 World Group are France, Slovak Republic, Germany, China, Argentina and Ukraine.

The four losers will start in World Group II in 2010.

The matches will be played in the next two days on April 25 and 26.

(Image via tennisforum.com)

Sania Mirza out of Fed Cup, missed 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Sania Mirza is never far from controversies, isn't she?

After winning a Grand Slam with Mahesh Bhupathi last week, she announced earlier today that she had to skip India’s Fed Cup campaign this week.

She blamed it on her abdominal pain, apart from the fatigue following the Australian Open.

Asked about her decision not to play in India to steer clear of controversies, Sania said, “I never said I am going to boycott (events in India). As usual, it was blown out of proportion. Who does not want to play in India? I love to play in the country. But not many tournaments are happening now.”

Her absence has left India with just three players for the event, which features eight nations, split into two groups, in round robin ties including two singles matches and a doubles clash, over three days before the top side from each division meets in Saturday's final.

The Indian team is world no.377 Abkita Bhambri, Sanaa Bhambri (478) and Rushmi Chakravarthi (509).

The winner of Saturday's final advances to the World Group II play-offs in April.

The other nations in the Asia-Oceania play-offs are Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Indonesia and Korea.

Meanwhile, Sania sounded upset with Bhupathi for not taking her to watch 'Slumdog Millionaire'.

Sania wanted to watch the much-acclaimed film, but instead of taking her along, Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna went ahead and saw the movie.

“Mahesh and Rohan ditched me,” Sania said.

(Via telegraphindia.com, AFP; Image via Yahoo! Sports)

Russia dominates and wins Fed Cup final against Spain

Russia won its fourth Fed Cup in five years Sunday, defeating Spain when Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Anabel Medina Garrigues 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 to clinch the title.

The victory gave Russia an insurmountable 3-0 lead in the top team event in women’s tennis.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Kuznetsova said. “Even though I wasn’t playing my best game, it’s so important for me to win this point for the team.”

The Russians made it 4-0 when Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova downed Nuria Llagostera Vives and Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2, 6-1 in doubles.

Kuznetsova used powerful ground strokes to race ahead 4-0 in the first set. Medina Garrigues regrouped to lead 6-5 and served out the set on a clear sunny day at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid’s clay court.

The players traded breaks to reach 3-3 in the second set before Kuznetsova won three straight games to even the match. She then got a late break in the third to secure the victory.

“She’s a player who puts great weight on her deliveries,” Medina Garrigues said. “I gave it my all.”

Kuznetsova was confident her stamina would carry her against an opponent who refused to wilt.

“I gave her a chance to get back,” she said. “I started to play a little bit of baseline tennis against her game. I felt so much more energy. knew my fitness was better.”

On Saturday, Vera Zvonareva beat Medina Garrigues, and Kuznetsova defeated Carla Suarez Navarro.

(Via Yahoo! Sports)