To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the International Tennis Federation in 1963 an international women team event was organised named the Federation Cup. This event started as a normal tournament length of one week but was changed into a two days event. Since 1995 the competition consists of one home and one away meeting. In 1994 the name of the event was changed to Fed Cup. By defeating Russia, in Madrid last year, Belgium became the eighth nation to win the Fed Cup.

USA upset by Austria.

The first round, which was held on April 27 and 28 2002, showed some great surprises on the first day already. Austria took the lead over USA on Saturday when Monica Seles lost to Barbara Schwartz 6-7 2-6. Seles did struggle through her serve while Schwartz played a very consistent match. Jennifer Capriati was ousted from the team by coach Billy Jean King on the previous Friday night. King did not approve of Capriati practising with her father and setting a training schedule for Jennifer herself. Hereby King had conceded the second match by withdrawing Capriati from the competition.

Austria then took a 3-0 victory when Barbara Schwartz also won her second match against Meghann Shaughnessy on American home ground at Charlotte. The United States were defeated after a thrilling 3 hours and 7 minutes match leaving 4-6 7-6 9-7 on the scoreboard. The US team could come back to 3-2 in the next matches but the damage was already done.

Barbara Rittner surprises Russia

Germany defeated Russia 3-2 after a tie on the first day. Elena Dementieva defeated Martina Muller 6-4 6-2 but Barbara Rittner put the equalizer on the score sheet by defeating Anastasia Myskina in three sets. Rittner who surprised the home crowd in Dresden with winning her match against Myskina who was ranked 38 places above her said: ‘I am good for a surprise now we are capable accomplishing anything’.

The second day showed Barbara was right in her judgement on Saturday. She was in great form this weekend. Winning her match on Saturday against Myskina and beating Russia’s number 1 Elena Dementieva on Sunday 6-3 6-1. Myskina could tie the competition 2-2 after defeating Martina Muller after a three hours marathon match 7-6 6-7 11-9.

Barbara Rittner teamed up with Marlene Weingartner against Elena Dementieva and Elena Likhovsteva for the deciding doubles match. The German team won the match 7-6 6-2 and took the overall 3-2 victory with Rittner being the proud winner of all her matches, making it her best Fed Cup performance ever.

Defending Champs Belgium defeat Australia

Belgium, being the defenders of the Fed Cup, did not have any problem winning their matches against Australia. In the first match on Saturday Justin Henin needed three sets to defeat Nicole Pratt but won the third set 6-love. Kim Clijsters defeated Alicia Molik 6-0 6-2. The following day Kim Clijsters would have liked to make the third point for Belgium but she had to withdrawal from the match after feeling a bad pain due to an old shoulder injury. Els Callens, who took Clijsters place lost to Nicole Pratt 2-6 4-6. Justin Henin secured Belgium’s victory by beating Alicia Molik 6-2 6-1. The doubles match was suspended when the rain set in. Eventually the match was abandoned leaving the scoreboard on 6-7 for Australians double Stubbs / Pratt.

Swiss Team lost to The Slovak Republic

The match between Switzerland and The Slovak Republic had to be settled in the doubles match on Sunday after both teams won two matches. Patty Schnyder surprisingly lost to Janette Hasurova on Saturday 6-7 7-5 5-7. Slovakian number 1 Daniela Hantuchova defeated 16 years old Swiss Miriam Casanova in straight sets. 6-4 7-5.

The tables were turned on Sunday when Patty Schnyder defeated Daniela Hantuchova 6-3 6-3 and Miriam Casanova defeated Henrietta Nagyova 3-6 6-3 6-1 levelling the score at 2 all. The deciding doubles match was ending up in a three setter, where the Swiss team forced a tiebreaker in the second set after trailing 5-2, the Slovakian team ended up as the winning team 6-0 6-7 6-3 and winning 3-2 on home before a home crowd.

Other results in the previous round:

Croatia defeated the Czech Republic in Bol, Croatia. After a 2-2 tie Croatia won the deciding double with Kastonic and Majoli against Benesova and Birnerova of the Czech Republic. 6-1 6-2

France defeated Argentina after Dechy had secured the 3-1 lead. Argentina won the doubles match for a 3-2 victory for France.

Spain defeated Hungary with Sanchez-Vicario scoring three winning matches out of three played. She played her double match with Ruano Pascual, only Montolio lost her opening match leading to an end score of 4-1.

Antonella Zerra Zanetti won against Sweden, winning the first three single matches in a row for Italy. Sweden was defeated 5-0 on the clay courts of Milan.

World Group Quarterfinals and Play Offs

Austria v Croatia
Venue: Portschach Werzer Arena, Portschach
Surface: Clay - outdoors

Austria v Croatia
Barbara Schett Iva Majoli
Barbara Schwartz Jelena Kostanic
Patricia Wartusch Silvija Talaja
Evelyn Fauth Karolina Sprem
Captain: Alfred Tesar Captain: Goran Prpic

Spain v Germany
Venue: CT. Es Coll d’Os, Mallorca
Surface: Clay - outdoors

Spain v Germany
Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario Martina Muller
Magui Serna Marlene Weingartner
Marta Marrero Barbara Rittner
Virginia Ruano Pascual Bianca Lamade
Captain: Miguel Margets Captain: Markus Schur

Slovak Republic v France
Venue: Incheba - Hall “C”
Surface: Carpet - indoors

Slovak v Republic France
Daniela Hantuchova Amelie Mauresmo
Janette Husarova Nathalie Dechy
Martina Sucha Emilie Loit
Henrieta Nagyova Stephanie Foretz
Captain: Tomas Malik Captain: Guy Forget

Italy v Belgium
Venue: Circolo Tennis Bologna, Bologna
Surface: Clay - outdoors

Italy v Belgium
Silvia Farina Elia Els Callens
Rita Grande Laurence Courtois
Francesca Schiavone Caroline Maes
Adriana Serra Zanetti Elke Clijsters
Captain: Corrado Barazzutti Captain: Ivo Van Aken

Notice that Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin are not listed.

Australia v Netherlands
Venue: WIN Sports & Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Surface: Hard - indoors

Australia v Netherlands
Nicole Pratt Miriam Oremans
Alicia Molik Kristie Boogert
Evie Dominikovic Marielle Hoogland
Rennae Stubbs Silvana Bauer
Captain: Evonne Goolagong Captain: Tjerk Bogtstra

China v Russia
Venue: Beijing International Tennis Centre, Beijing
Surface: Hard - indoors

China v Russia
Jie Zheng Elena Dementieva
Na Li Tatiana Panova
Nannan Liu Elena Bovina
Zi Yan
Captain: Li Qio Yu Captain: Shamil Tarpischev

Notice that only three players are listed for Russia.

Hungary v Argentina
Venue: Romai Teniszakademia, Budapest
Surface: Clay - outdoors

Hungary v Argentina
Petra Mandula Clarisa Fernandez
Zsofia Gubacsi Mariana Diaz-Oliva
Aniko Kapros Maria Emilia Salerni
Kira Nagy Laura Montalvo
Captain: Andrea Temesvari Captain: Ricardo Rivero

Czech Republic v Canada
Venue: TC Precolor Prerov, Prerov
Surface: Clay - outdoors

Czech Republic v Canada
Iveta Benesova Maureen Drake
Klara Koukalova Jana Nejedly
Petra Cetkovska Vanessa Webb
Barbora Strycova Marie-Eve Pelletier
Captain: Jan Kukal Captain: Rene Simpson

Sweden v Switzerland
Venue: Malmo IP, Malmo
Surface: Clay - outdoors

Sweden v Switzerland
Asa Svensson Patty Schnyder
Sofia Arvidsson Emmanuelle Gagliardi
Maria Wolfbrand Myriam Casanova
Aleksandra Srndovic Daniela Casanova
Captain: Maria Strandlund Captain: Annemarie Ruegg

Slovenia v Ukraine
Venue: SRC Marina Portoro, Portoro
Surface: Clay - outdoors

Slovenia v Ukraine
Tina Pisnik Tatiana Perebiynis
Maja Matevzic Elena Tatarkova
Petra Rampre Yulia Beygelzimer
Ajda Brumen Alyona Bondarenko
Captain: Blaz Trupej Captain: Yuriy Snopko

USA v Israel
Venue: Cooper Tennis Complex, Springfield, MO.
Surface: Hard - outdoors

USA v Israel
Monica Seles Anna Smashnova
Lindsay Davenport Tzipora Obziler
Meghann Shaughnessy Shahar Peer
Lisa Raymond Hila Rosen
Captain: Billie Jean King Captain: Oded Jacob

Notice that again Jennifer Capriati is not listed.

Japan did withdrawal from the event. The match between Japan and Colombia will not take place. Colombia will be receiving promotion to the 2003 world group.