Not that anyone really cares, but the Fed Cup semis and finals are this week. The four contenders should be:

The United States: Players ranked in singles #1-3, #7, #11, #14, #18, #29, #30, #39, #47.
Russia: #12, #19, #25, #27, #36, #42, #43, #46.
France: #5, #20, #22 (retired)
Belgium: #4 & #6

None of these four is in the last group. Instead you've got:

Slovakia: One Top 10 player, one other Top 50 player

Italy: One Top 20 player, two players in the 40-50 range

Austria: One Top 50 player

Spain: One Top 40 player, one other Top 50 player

Honestly, these four COUNTRIES could pool their resources and not even MAKE the semifinals.

The good news is, it looks like the ITF is finally getting serious about Fed Cup and the web page looks more like Davis Cup's now. Plus, they're starting to institute a ranking system like in Davis Cup.

the best thing about the Fed Cup finals is the location..... It's being held at the Canary Islands of Spain off the coast of North Africa (Morocco) in Mas Palomas of Gran Canaria.

what does all that mean? Beautiful weather, beautiful men and just a 5 minute walk to the gay nude beach.

Spain is up (at home) 2-0 over a depleted Austria. If Spain wins this, it will be awful.

Hantuchova went & lost to Schiavone, but then Husarova beat Farina Elia. Go figure.

bridgeportjake, unfortunately, I think that Spain is going to win the Fed Cup, primarily because of the surface at Mas Palomas. From what I've ready, they play very slow for hard courts, which plays right to Spain's advantage. There is no possible way that Schiavone will ever take out Hantuchova unless it's played on a slow court, although Schiavone did win against Hantuchova on carpet early this season. Hantuchova hit a bunch of errors and Schiavone tracked down a lot of balls.

Spain played very well against Austria, although Schett really disappointed me in losing to ASV. Arantxa has been off her game for most of the year, and Schett had a perfect opportunity to get back on track, but it wasn't meant to be. Spain should sweep tomorrows singles matches, earning their place in the finals.

The matches between Italy and the Slovak Republic are tougher to call. I think Daniella will bounce back against Silvia, but I think that Francesca may surprise Janette and even the tie heading into the doubles match. I think that Hantuchova/Husarova are a far superior doubles team to Schiavone/Farina-Elia and they will earn a berth in the finals.

I'm flying out to Seattle tomorrow for an interview at the University of Washington on Friday, *knock on wood*, so I won't be around this weekend to gab about the matches. Hopefully, things will go well and I'll move out to Seattle after I graduate in the Spring. Anyways, I think that ASV and Conchita will not disappoint and win the Fed Cup for Spain so they can retire on top.

Nick

Okay, I guess I shouldn't complain....so far through six matches it's been quite interesting:

First, Schett beats Conchita in three sets.

Wartusch (!) is in a no-tiebreak third set with ASV, tied 7-7. Cool.

If Patricia can pull it out, Serna teams with Ruano Pascual (suddenly the best doubles player in the world!) against what's likely to be a tired Schett-Wartusch team.

As The Hammer pointed out, given the surface, the final two or three matches between Slovakia and Italia are impossible to predict. Relatively evenly matched rankings-wise, these will be first-time matchups in both reverse singles matches.

Looks like the Canaries are being given a fun show, if nothing else. And for the sake of the home crowd, it would be nice to see the Spaniards in the finals. Also, if I could be sure that ASV & Martinez were about to retire, I'd root much more heartily for them this time around...

[ October 31, 2002: Message edited by: bridgeportjake ]

You gotta root for Arantxa and Conchita, a couple of old hags out there slogging away for 15 years. Ugliest games in history and still taking out the best players in the world on ocassion. They are an inspirartion. Just don't look directly at them, you'll turn to stone.

hey matt.... I know you!!! the hauntingly familiar description of the "hags" and their "ugly games" I knew it had to be you and then I saw the San Fran location tag. How the hell are ya? Did you bring the other dudes from the GLTA here too?

Spain put up a nice effort against Slovakia, but Slovakia proved too strong and won 3-1. Out of all the players active during this week's matches, Conchita was impressive for an "old hag" with one of the "ugliest games in history". I've never been a fan of hers ever since her Wimbledon title (Martina should have won that match, but anyways ...), but I like her game (I'm a pusher/counterpuncher, so we have a bond going on there) and I'm amazed that she's able to hold serve with her 80 mph (I'm being generous) first serve. She's played well after the US Open, and to take a set off of both Schett and, especially, Hantuchova shows promise for 2003. Hopefully, she can put together a solid year next year, get to the quarters of the French and put solid finish on the end of a successful career.

On the other end of the spectrum, I felt absolutely horrible for ASV. To get bageled in the first set by Husarova is bad enough, but getting heckled by a fan during the match is even worse (besides, I doubt Serna could have done much better against Husarova). Apparently, she left the court in tears and I hope ASV can get over the injury bug and put together a solid season next year, if she still has the drive to play.

Nick