2010 Fed Cup semifinal

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The 2010 Fed Cup semifinal was an international women's tennis competition match between the United States and Russia held at the BJCC Arena on April 24-25, 2010. The U.S. team defeated Russia 3-2 to advance to the final round against Italy in November.

The U.S. team, captained by Mary Joe Fernandez, consisted of Melanie Oudin of Marietta, Georgia; Bethanie Mattek-Sands of Miami, Florida; and Liezel Huber of Houston, Texas. Sloane Stephens of Fort Lauderdale, Florida joined the team for the trip, but did not participate in competition. A space on the team was held open for Venus Williams, but a knee injury prevented her participation. The Russian team, captained by Shamil Tarppischev, consisted of Elena Dementieva, Alla Kudryavtseva, and Ekaterina Makarova.

Birmingham, which drew record crowds to a first round tie in the 2009 Davis Cup, was selected over Las Vegas, Chicago, San Antonio, St Louis and Providence. The official attendance for the Birmingham semi-final was 7,875 (an average of 3,938 per day over the two-day event). The American Fed Cup attendance record is 5,741 set in 2003 in Lowell, Massachusetts with both Venus and Serena Williams playing for the United States. The matches were broadcast live on the Tennis Channel in the United States, as well as in Russia and six other countries.

Results

Oudin defeated Kudryavtseva in the first round, 6-3, 6-3. Dementieva evened things up by defeating Mattek-Sands 6-4, 6-3 in the second round, then pushed Russia ahead with a 7-6(4), 0-6, 6-3 defeat of Oudin in round three. In round four, Mattek-Sands earned a critical win against Makarova, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3, then returned to the court 30 minutes later to team with Huber in a straight-sets doubles win over Dementieva and Kudryavtseva, 6-3, 6-1.

Mattek-Sands was named the team's most valuable player for her strong showing on the second day.

Additional notes

Players from both teams led children's tennis clinics at George Ward Park on April 20. An official welcoming ceremony and dinner was held at the Birmingham Museum of Art on April 22. After the Saturday races at the Aaron's 499 weekend at Talladega Superspeedway were postponed due to weather, race fans were offered half-price admission to the indoor Fed Cup matches.

Dementieva's boyfriend, Atlanta Thrashers star Maxim Afinogenov, spent the week in Birmingham, including a pick-up game and a game with Birmingham Area Select Hockey at the Pelham Civic Complex.

References

  • "Birmingham picked to host Fed Cup" (February 16, 2010) Associated Press
  • Crenshaw, Solomon Jr (March 22, 2010) "Oudin joins U.S. Fed Cup team against Russia." Birmingham News
  • Melick, Ray (April 21, 2010) "Fed Cup fans get 1st serve of pro tennis." Birmingham News
  • Melick, Ray (April 23, 2010) "Fed Cup lures 'Mad Max' to Pelham." Birmingham News
  • Solomon, Jon (April 24, 2010) "NASCAR fans welcome at Fed Cup for half price." Birmingham News
  • Crenshaw, Solomon Jr (April 25, 2010) "U.S. celebrates Fed Cup win over Russia in Birmingham." Birmingham News

External links