This year's Fed Cup first round for the World Group competition will kick off with the Russia vs. Japan matchup. Russia, once the finalist of the tournament in 2011, will hold the home court advantage over Japan as it plays at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow, Russia.
Russia is currently ranked third in the Fed Cup Nations Rankings and will face off Japan, currently ranked seventh, who earned their spot in the World Group after defeating Belgium 4-1 during the World Group Play-offs last year. Russia made it to the semifinals in last year's Fed Cup, loosing to Serbia 3-2 while playing in Moscow.
Russia's roster includes several top 50 ranked players, including Maria Kirilenko (13), Ekaterina Makarova (20) and Elena Vesnina (33), as well as Margarita Gasparyan (226). On the other side, Ayumi Morita (57) is joined by teammates Kimiko Date-Krumm (77), Misaki Doi (84) and Kurumi Nara (153).
The first match will be played by Kirilenko and Date-Krumm. On the Russian side, no player will play more than two matches each, Gasparyan and Vesnina only playing the doubles match. On the other hand, Japan's Morita will play two singles matches as well as the doubles match.
The winner of the matchup will move on to the semifinals in April and will compete against the winner of the Serbia vs. Slovak Republic matchup. The loser of the matchup will head to the World Group Play-offs and will face one of the winners of the World Group II matchups for the chance to be in the World Group in 2014.
The Fed Cup kicks off on Saturday, Feb. 9 and will conclude on Sunday, Feb. 10. To watch the matches live, head here. Fed Cup 2011 finalists Russia faces Japan in the first round of the competition.
Russia vs. Japan Matchup
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Moscow, Russia
Saturday (February 9): 1500 hrs (0600 hrs EST)
Sunday (February 10): 1400 hrs (0500 hrs EST)
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
