Date: 21 Apr - 22 Apr 2012
Venue: Club de Tenis Puente Romano, Marbella, Spain
Start times:
Day 1: 1115 hrs (0915 hrs GMT)
Day 2: 1100 hrs (0900 hrs GMT)
Surface: Clay (Red Clay), Outdoor
Ball: Dunlop Fort All Court

SLOVAK REPUBLIC 3-2 SPAIN

R1 D. CIBULKOVA bt L. DOMINGUEZ-LINO 6-3 6-0
R2 S. SOLER-ESPINOSA bt D. HANTUCHOVA 7-6(5) 6-4
R3 D. CIBULKOVA bt S. SOLER-ESPINOSA 6-4 6-4
R4 D. HANTUCHOVA bt L. DOMINGUEZ-LINO 0-6 7-6(4) 6-4
R5 N. LLAGOSTERA VIVES/A. PARRA-SANTONJA bt M.RYBARIKOVA/A.SCHMIEDLOVA 6-0 6-7(7) 6-3

SLOVAK REPUBLIC:
Dominika CIBULKOVA
Daniela HANTUCHOVA
Magdalena RYBARIKOVA
Anna Karolina SCHMIEDLOVA
Team Captain: Matej LIPTAK

SPAIN:
Silvia SOLER-ESPINOSA
Lourdes DOMINGUEZ-LINO
Arantxa PARRA-SANTONJA
Nuria LLAGOSTERA VIVES
Team captain: Arantxa SANCHEZ VICARIO

TIE PREVIEW:
Slovak Republic have won the only previous meeting between these two nations, upsetting the Spanish at home with a 3-1 victory in the 2002 Final – the only time that the Slovak’s have lifted the trophy.
Fed Cup legend Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario will be looking to captain her Spanish side back to the World Group having lost to Russia in the first round in her first tie in the role. Injury and illness to her top players Anabel Medina Garrigues and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez made the already daunting prospect of the trip to Russia even tougher with the only bright spot a victory for Carla Suarez Navarro over Nadia Petrova.
The Slovak Republic came through to the play-off with a victory at home against France having slipped back into World Group II for 2012 after only a one year stint at the highest level. Daniela Hantuchova added to her impressive service record during the tie winning her 30th and 31st matches in her 11th year representing Slovak Republic.

www.fedcup.com

All Slovaks already trained in Marbella, Simon: "Clay is faster"

17.04.2012 14:12:49
Marbella (TASR) - Slovak Dominika Cibulkova, Daniela Hantuchova, Magdalena Rybarikovaand AnnaaCrolina Schmiedlova have already tried the clay in Marbella, Spain - venue relegation to participate in the Federation Cup World Group (21 to 22 April). On Tuesday morning attended a two-hour training in the area of ​​Puente Romano Tennis Club.

"All four girls have been involved in the training process. Clay is faster, the ball should bounce a little high, but I firmly believe that the duel start the players to get used to it. To centers can train two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. They get to it gradually all the players including debutante Schmiedlova, there we have a training court. whole area operates a pleasant impression, while we wish the weather. from the hotel to get the courts on foot per minute, which is a big advantage," he told the TASR coach Slovak Fed Cup team Ladislav Simon.

Spaniard is not yet in Marbella in the complete composition. "We saw the train while only three toys - Soler-Espinosa, Dominguez-Lino and Llagosterovú-Vives. All the clay specialist. Parr-Santonjá with which domestic count in doubles, while in the Marbella did not appear," said Simon.

The Fed Cup history will be the second mutual match between Spain and Slovakia. In November 2002 the Slovaks won the prestigious team competition finals in Maspalomase 3:1 and gained valuable trophy. Hantuchova has contributed to the historical success of the two points, the third added Jeanette Husárová to triumph over Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario who is now captain of the Spanish team.

Last year Slovaks dropped out of the World Group after an unfortunate 2-3 home defeat to Serbia, now have a chance to return to the elite eight. A seat in relegation to secure through February 3-2 victory over France in the first duel Round II. Aegon group in the world arena in Bratislava NTC. A major triumph was strojkyňou Hantuchova, who won two singles. The third item added Cibulkova Slovak unit.
@ google translate

It's weird why Medina Garrigues and Suarez Navarro aren't playing but maybe they are playing qualifying in Stuttgart instead... Anyhow, 2 winnable matches for Daniela but I think she takes a while to adjust on clay so it will be tough playing against red-dirt specialists...

Saturday
R1: Lourdes Dominguez-Lino (ESP) v Dominika Cibulkova (SVK)
R2: Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) v Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)

Sunday
R3: Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) v Dominika Cibulkova (SVK)
R4: Lourdes Dominguez-Lino (ESP) v Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)
R5: Nuria Llagostera Vives/Arantxa Parra-Santonja (ESP) v Dominika Cibulkova/Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)

Spanish captain Arantxa Sanchez Vicario is expecting a tough match against the Slovaks, but is hopeful home advantage will prove decisive for her team.

“We are really excited, we’re looking forward to it and my players are ready,” she said. “We have home advantage and we are playing on clay, which is our favourite surface plus we have the crowd on our side and they always provide great support.”

But the five-time Fed Cup winner and holder of several records in the competition is under no illusions as to the difficulty of the task facing her team.

“The Slovaks are the favourites because the rankings show they have players in the Top 20, but our players are ready and we will give our best to fight until the end to win the tie,” she added.
“It is important to start well on the first day, we will give 100 per cent and try to stay in the World Group.”

Slovak Republic captain Matej Liptak is equally optimistic about the tie and is confident his players can overcome Spain’s clay court specialists.
“It’s not important which girl starts the tie, the most important thing is that we gain the points,” he said. “Spain will be playing without their three best ranked players but the tie is on clay so we expect a tough match because they are strong on this surface."

“The match between Dominguez and Cibulkova will be tough because Dominguez is a clay court specialist, she enjoys playing long rallies from the baseline, so I expect a tough match but I think Dominika will prevail."

“The other match is harder to predict because Soler is a young player who is capable of playing very well on the big occasions. But my team is well prepared and I believe we are capable of winning the tie.”

Spain - currently ranked seventh in the world - have won the competition on five occasions, behind only USA, Australia and Czech Republic in the all time winners list.
Slovak Republic - ranked No. 11 - have just one title to their name, but Cibulkova and Hantuchova are both ranked in the Top 20.

Slovaks want the Fed Cup elite. Against the Spaniard on clay will

"Domestic chosen surface, which plays the best, and will propel the audience. We will have well prepared to tackle and deal with it. Spain is in the team competition, particularly on their own soil is always strong and I expect very close fight," said the publication has nominations Slovak captain Matej Liptak.

In Saturday's singles to start from 11:15 h play Dominika Cibulkova (17th in the ranking) against Spanish duo Lourdes Dominguez-Lin (104th). When they are present Daniela Hantuchova (20) and home-unit Solerová Silvia Espinosa (65). Although in relation to the Spaniard duo and unit attributes not quite fit. Their three best players of Ranking Medina-Garrigues (26), Martinez-Sanchez (49) and Suarez-Navarro (58) is either not in a squad.

"It certainly will not be easy game, expect a difficult fight. She is very unpleasant rival - all range and back. Two years ago, although I won 6:0, 6:1, but any ball I've had otters, Uher herself thoroughly," said Cibulkova before showdown with Dominguez-fledged.

"I was surprised that the Spanish squad are the three best women players. I think that when such reports are favorite. We must not underestimate anything. We play on clay in Spain, outside it's always a different atmosphere. For example, I did not play in Fed Cup the opponent for about three years. But I believe if we give a concentrated performance, should be to go in our favor," said 22-year-old Cibulkova. Complained of a minor intestinal problems, but it should be fine.

The more experienced colleague Hantuchova at the time still did not know the exact set of Španielok, said: "It will be harder than last against France. If we play at home on the concrete, it would be about something completely different. This will equalize chances of winning," said she soon 29-year old native Poprad. Hantuchova have to travel to Spain recalled the great joy 10 years ago, when featured in the Slovak team, who have their historic triumph in the Fed Cup final won the tournament in Maspalomase the Canary Islands.

"It will be something special. We are returning there in Fed Cup meeting after ten years and it certainly causes a lot of beautiful memories. Hopefully this time we will be successful," Hantuchova said she, before leaving for Spain.

Captain Liptak doubles final on Sunday to pre-nominated duo Cibulkova, Hantuchova. The squad still has a threesome with another traditional Magdalena Rybarikova and also the absolute debutante, only 17-year-old Anna Carolina Schmiedlova. Play will be from auditorium with a capacity of 2500 seats. Direct transfer of the two days will RTVS duo.


Hantuchova will support children in Poprad Hospital

Daniela Hantuchova at the Friday meeting of lottery ticket Spain - SR for the Fed Cup World Group 2013 in Marbella solemnly handed over awards Heart Award from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) for access to representation. Mainly due to Slovakia Hantuchova won in February in Bratislava in the first Round II. World Group of the Frenchwoman 3-2. Slovak tennis player was given a silver bracelet brand Baccarat and a check for 6000 USD, which will be transmitted to charity according to his judgment - namely, children's hospital in Poprad. "These awards mean more to me than any tournament trophy. It is because of the fans and just for one person to do everything. I was pleasantly surprised me and revived memories of the meeting - an atmosphere that we have to have it, I have not seen," said Daniela Hantuchova still 10th April following their training in the area in Slovan Bratislava.
@ google translate


Fed Cup: Clash of the process begins Cibulkova against Dominguez Lino

Dominika Cibulkova argues that the duel against Dominguez Lin in Marbella will be much harder than the first mutual struggle of U.S. Open 2010, where the Spaniard beat smoothly in straight sets. "Dominguez Lino is a player who on clay a lot of range and you can not you even a single ball. I have to give maximum performance, so I beat it. I hope I manage to build in Marbella on the quality of the first appearance of clay tournament of the season in Barcelona where I refer to the finals. Two years ago I could not start because of injury in the relegation against Serbia in Belgrade, and I kept midwives only inches from a TV screen. about how I prefer it now I can be there. I hope we win and we will return the Fed Cup elite."

Daniela Hantuchova is the Soler Espinosa in mutual match so far not met. "The Spaniard on clay at home and Solerová Espinosa is in this respect no exception. Little I watched it during training in Marbella and showed that it is handy, typically clay plays tennis. For me, it will be the first match on clay this season. I have to be especially good for legs, patient and play solid tennis and fight. Clay in Marbella is not as hard as in a tournament in Stuttgart, Madrid and Rome, the ball bounced a little strange. but it is certainly better than at home where they were soft courts and some of them I had twisted her ankle. but fortunately I feel fit."
@ google translate

Cibulkova won R1 vs. Dominguez-Lino 6-3 6-0 in just 1h 19min Great!!!


Daniela's left foot/ankle is taped, hopefully nothing serious

1-0. ace#1+2, Daniela holds
1-1. Soler-Espinosa holds to 15
1-2. df#1, Daniela got broken to 30
1-3. Daniela has a BP but Soler holds..
2-3. df#3, Daniela holds to 15
3-3. Daniela gets the break to 30!
4-3. ace#3, Daniela holds to 30
4-4. Soler holds to 30
5-4. Daniela holds to 0
5-5. Soler holds to 15
6-5. Daniela saves a BP to hold!!

so i have to go now, i will go to the stadium to watch German soccer, Borussia Dortmund vs. Borussia M. Gladbach
Hope Daniela will win this!!!!

Daniela serving to stay in the match, she was 4-2 up with 3 bps...

Daniela lost 67 46

Bollocks...

Can't believe daniela just lost this. Didn't watch the match but it is quite embarrassing on paper.

I guess her form is not good at all at the moment. I fear for the rest of the year, seems injuries are creeping upon her.

edit: apparently the Spaniard was playing well above her level and Daniela didn't do bad at all. How is she so unlucky?
Anyone who watched the match care to share?

The injury to her left heel did seem to hamper her-she was having real trouble pushing off when stretched wide on her forehand side. The serve and the ball toss is still a real issue.Furthermore,she has got to stop looping those topspin BHs-it's OK if you can move like Nadal,but when your movement is impaired it's going to land you in trouble.

The good news is her FH is still lethal when she has time to prepare.