The World Group reconvened for the second and last day of the first round as eight countries vied for their spot in the semifinals this April. Four countries-Russia, Slovak Republic, Czech Republic and Italy- moved on and will compete against each other for the chance to make it to this year's finals.
Russia began the day with a loss to Japan during their third singles match. Russia's Elena Vesnina lost Ayumi Morita in two sets, 4-6 and 1-6, giving Japan a 1-2 advantage. However, Russian Ekaterina Makarova (20) tied things up, defeating Kimiko Date-Krumm in two sets, 6-1 and 6-1. Doubles partners Makarova and Vesnina sealed the deal after defeating Misaki Doi and Morita in two sets, 6-2 and 6-2. Russia will hold the home court advantage when they face the Slovak Republic in April.
The Slovak Republic defeated 2012 Fed Cup finalist Serbia 3-2 by only playing four matches. The team took home the first match of the day played by Serbia's Bokana Jovanovski and the Slovak Republic's Jana Cepelova in three sets, 7-5, 5-7 and 9-11. Serbia's Vesna Dolonc also lost her singles match against Slovak Daniela Hantuchova in two quick sets, 3-6 and 2-6. The fifth match-a doubles rubber-ended in a Serbia walkover to the Slovak Republic.
Defending champions the Czech Republic proved once again why they took home the Fed Cup last year, defeating Australia 4-0. No. 8-seeded Czech player Petra Kvitova defeated No. 9-seeded Australian Samantha Stosur in three hard-fought matches, 2-6, 7-6(3) and 6-4. The fourth singles match, or rubber, between the Czech Republic's Lucie Safarova (18) and Australia's Jarmila Gajdosova was not played. However, the Czech Republic did take home the doubles match played by Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka against Australia's Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua in two sets, 6-0 and 7-6(1). The Czech Republic will face off against Italy in Italy come April for the semifinals.
Italy's No. 7-seeded Sara Errani lost her first match of the day against American Varvara Lepchenko in two sets, 5-7 and 2-6. However teammate Roberta Vinci (16) defeated Jamie Hampton in three sets, 6-2, 4-6 and 6-1, to tie the countries 2-2. Errani and Vinci then paired up for the doubles match, ultimately defeating Americans Liezel Huber and Lepchenko in two sets, 6-2 and 6-2. They will face off against defending champions the Czech Republic in April with a home court advantage.
The losers of the World Group first round-Japan, Serbia, Australia and the USA-will face off against the winners of the World Group II first round-Switzerland, Sweden, Spain and Germany-during the World Group Play-offs in April. Each team will compete for their spot in the World Group in 2014. The losers of the World Group II matches will head off to the World Group II Play-offs against the Zone Group I winners to qualify for the World Group II in 2014.
Semifinals Matchups (April 20-21)
Russia vs. Slovak Republic- Played in Russia
Czech Republic vs. Italy- Played in Italy
World Group Play-offs (April 20-21)
World Group Losers: Japan | Serbia | Australia | USA
World Group II Winners: Switzerland | Sweden | Spain | Germany
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