Date: 04 Feb - 05 Feb 2012
Venue: Aegon Arena , Bratislava, Slovak Republic
Start times:
Day 1: 1300 hrs (1200 hrs GMT)
Day 2: 1200 hrs (1100 hrs GMT)
Surface: Hard (Latex-ite), Indoor
Ball: Wilson US Open

SLOVAK REPUBLIC 3-2 FRANCE

R1 D. HANTUCHOVA bt P. PARMENTIER 5-7 6-1 9-7
R2 V. RAZZANO bt D. CIBULKOVA 6-4 6-4
R3 D. CIBULKOVA bt P. PARMENTIER 6-4 6-3
R4 D. HANTUCHOVA bt A. CORNET 6-3 6-4
R5 K. MLADENOVIC/V. RAZZANO bt J. CEPELOVA/M. RYBARIKOVA 6-1 6-2

SLOVAK REPUBLIC:
Dominika CIBULKOVA
Daniela HANTUCHOVA
Magdalena RYBARIKOVA
Jana CEPELOVA
Team Captain: Matej LIPTAK

FRANCE:
Pauline PARMENTIER
Virginie RAZZANO
Aliza CORNET
Aravane REZAI
Team Captain: Nicolas ESCUDE

TIE PREVIEW:
Slovak Republic and France are level at 1-1 after their two previous meetings, with home advantage proving pivotal on both occasions. The Slovaks won 4-1 in Bratislava, in 2002, and the French responded seven years later by prevailing 3-2 in a thrilling tie in Limoges that went down to the final rubber.
Both nations were relegated from the World Group last season. Slovak Republic suffered back-to-back 3-2 defeats at the hands of Czech Republic and Serbia, while France lost to Russia and Spain. This is the first time ever that France will play outside of Fed Cup’s top division.

www.fedcup.com

Cibulkova et al. have the revenge of France
Today, 13:16 SITA, Sport Red, TASR
BRATISLAVA - Slovak tennis Representative of the desire in the first match weekend Bratislava Round II. Federation Cup World Group revenge defeat of France at the close of three years ago in a record-long struggle for their clay.

Slovaks have a Frenchwoman as revenge.
Author: AP

Hantuchova continuing with Pistolesi
"Then in Limoges we lacked a bit of luck. It's not so long ago that you did not even remember properly. All we are now somewhere else. Members of the current French team are unpredictable - they can play brutally good, but average. Personally, I am extra motivated mainly against Pauline Parmentierovej. I have it as revenge. My play with her in the first round of last year's U.S. Open in New York is one of the game, which I tried to forget as quickly as possible, to unlock them. That's more what I come back," said at the press conference utorňajšej Daniela Hantuchova, who was on the court and battle each other in the premiere of these countries in Incheba in July 2002.

The success of 4:1 means the process when the final tournament in the former format of the competition under the auspices of the International Tennis Federation and Slovakia are finally celebrating the trophy.

Last year coached Hantuchova led captain Matej Liptak Sloveniek now confirmed the continuation of cooperation with the Italians Claudio Pistolesi of January after the trial period.

"In Melbourne we sat together with Claudio and we agreed that we will continue to work at other tournaments. Home of the season I went beyond expectations. I forwarded to the finals tournament in Brisbane, in Sydney I was valuable to triumph over Italian Roberta Vinciovou and Francesca Schiavone got to the quarterfinals. I did not expect that the early manifestations of the things we Makalu in winter training. There is still room for improvement, games that can be much better, which is great motivation. Waiting has a long way, I have to be particular patient," to explain Hantuchova.


"Domča" is cool
Acting Slovak Tennis player Dominika Cibulkova of the domestic duel with France enjoys and believes that the Slovak team to manage the country Gallic rooster revenge the defeat of Limoges.

"There was a very emotional game. Before leaving for France I had a problem with weaknesses, but I started and I gave it all. I beat Cornet and Daniela we lost the doubles final after a solid fight. I feel at ease, even in Australia was great, I just nedotiahla matches well the throw to a successful conclusion. In France, those devious toys, I have mixed results and I believe it is confirmed in Bratislava. Slower hard suits me, this is exactly what was the last year in Moscow, where I won the first title on the WTA circuit," said Slovak unit

Captain Liptak, who was nominated for the game and the Magdalena Rybarikova Jan Cepelova on previous joint training, said: "We started on Monday, while nothing unexpected happened. Everything is going according to the program, try to fine tune form. A French team has four players very close, indeed, five. It is therefore an advantage that the captain Nicolas Escude tennis players can deploy against each player. I expect that as against Daniel's first day will Parmentierová. It would not surprise me if it was in the final squad finally emerged young Mladenovicová. have been at the mercy of rival high in the rankings, they have enough experience, know-specific matches to demonstrate maximum performance."

French Capital súperiek Escudo provisionally gave confidence quartet Parmentierová Pauline, Virginia Razzanová, Alizé Cornet, Aravane Rezaiová.

Each team may still occur before Friday's lot two changes.
@ google translate

We will make trouble
1/2/2012 00:00, Tennis

Slovakia - France In the Federation Cup TENISTIEK H BRATISLAVA 4th and 5 February 2012

Slovak team, which enters the weekend in the first Round II. Federation Cup World Group in Bratislava against France (on Saturday beginning at NTC at 13.00, on Sunday at 12.00), was presented yesterday in a complete media kit. The captain Matej Lipták issues faced complete hráčok nominated quartet - Dominika Cibulkova, Daniela Hantuchova, a Jana Magdalena Rybarikova Cepelova.

According to the captain of our team girls need only tune the best form, the preparation takes place on Monday without any problems. Focused their attention on the rival. "There is no sure guide among them, all four players were already high in the rankings, they can give maximum performance," think Matej Liptak. "Only on paper we are in the role of favorite, on the court it may be otherwise . Provided that they remain chosen so that the very first day she joined Parmentierová against Daniela as her last U.S. Open defeated in straight sets. But would not surprise me if the report finally appeared Mladenovicová."

It should immediately add that in addition to a nominated quartet Parmentierová, Razzanová, Cornet and Rezaiová in Bratislava has a French captain Nicolas Escude available yet alternate Kristina Mladenovicovú (135th player of the world). "Against Mladenovicovej I have played, all the other well know," said Unit Dominika Cibulkova of the Slovak team. "The matches against them, however, has long been, I suppose that any of them can play very well. Certainly we will be making a big deal, they are annoying rival."

Croatian coach Zeljko Zverenka countryman was not satisfied with the January results in Australia. "Even then, I felt good, I just did not complete successfully launched a solid match," zaspomínala. "The more I look forward to the matches already in the hall and in the Federation Cup. Board games in it and in front of our audience," stressed Dominica, which is active against rival current balance - with Parmentierovou Razzanovou and the 2:1, 2:0 and the Cornet Rezaiovou 1:0.


Daniela Hantuchova will try to "swear" the triumph of the thirtieth

The surface is slow

Daniela Hantuchova yesterday as the last of our hráčok tried hard Latex-Ite on the main villages in the Aegon NTC Arena in Bratislava. Although the Slovakian trained on Monday but did not get the main court, because at the time of training to prepare him for French tennis players.

How do you assess the surface, which will play the weekend game against France fedcupové? - We asked the 20th players world rankings.
"It is very difficult to play especially in a winter. In Melbourne it was almost forty degrees, so the transition is not easy. The surface is rather slow, which does not my game. I hope it within a week habit."

What was your program after the Australian Open?
"After losing to Clijsters I flew straight home. For two days I was panting so that I gave, together 'arm and a leg. Then I started training."

Come to Bratislava and your coach Claudio Pistolesi?
"No. The captain Mathias Lipták we agreed that during the week fedcupového is better to work with one trainer that I not receive too much information at once."

Of the ten matches this year to eight times you lost the first set. Attributed to what?
"I look at it before so that I could turn five games, thanks to the excellent pre-season fitness training."

Your total balance fedcupová in singles and doubles is 29 wins and 15 losses. Last year, however, you really failed, you lost all five fights in a game against the Czech Republic and Serbia. Add thirtieth round triumph over the weekend already?
"It would be nice. Last year's lost I threw the head of each game I try to take away the only positive."

Fight more than ever

This year's balance of Daniela Hantuchova lost after the First Set is excellent - five wins and three losses. Compared to last season reached a remarkable improvement in these statistics. Last year, after a failed initial act of turning only six of thirty-two meetings ...
"After so many years in tennis, I know that the game can be screwed up at any time in the opposite direction. Not giving up and fight for every ball. This is probably the biggest change in the past," said 28-year old native of Poprad.

Daniela starts the tie against Parmentier tomorrow then it's Dominika against Razzano. Dominika's first up on Sunday against Parmentier then it's Daniela v Razzano. Daniela and Dominika play doubles against Cornet and Mladenovic. Daniela can get her 30th Fed Cup win and revenge for the US Open against Parmentier. It probably won't come down to the doubles but I'm happy that it's Dominika playing instead of Rybarikova. You've really go to favour Slovakia but the French players are capable of playing good tennis so they have to be respected.


Saturday
R1: Hantuchova (SVK) v Parmentier (FRA)
R2: Cibulkova (SVK) v Razzano (FRA)

Sunday
R3: Cibulkova (SVK) v Parmentier (FRA)
R4: Hantuchova (SVK) v Razzano (FRA)
R5: Cibulkova / Hantuchova (SVK) v Cornet / Mladenovic (FRA)

Slovak captain Matej Lipták French nomination not surprised.
"I felt the fact that French troops will Parmentierová and did not surprise me either that young Mladenovičová Rezaiovú replaced. As regards the initial nomination Razzanovej singles, it seems zavážili experience. In Bratislava it will be completely different game than in Limoges, France where were in the midst of the former world champion Amelie Mauresmo and Nathalie excellent deblistku Dechyovú. Now they have a very young squad with toys that are currently in fedcupových meetings can stir up to maximum power. But I believe we will succeed in the home environment."

Hantuchova wants revenge from last year's defeat Parmentierovej U.S. Open.
"I have a rival as revenge. He knows how to me, but now I have the advantage of playing before the home crowd. Parmentierová plays tennis with the boys so liftovanými forehand. The match of the New York I learned and I believe that the fantasy on Maťom rival effective tactic," said former world number Five.

Cibulkova Razzanovú well known in the past played doubles together.
"Virginia is an experienced player who is no longer on the WTA Tour. Plays a straight line, long shots, the style annoying. If we play fast enough, I believe it below. It does not matter whether I play first or second."

@ google translate.


"I do not be surprised of what. I expected a change in the French team, I have already prefigured in the week. Regarding the specific nominations Francúzok singles, deployment Parmentierovej I assumed I just had confidence in the internal name of the other players. Nicolas Escude finally stopped on the experience," said the ticket captain Matej Liptak Slovak team.

His words are added Dominika Cibulkova: "When the nominations announcement I did not know to whom I will play on Saturday. So for me it's interesting information. Virginia Razzanovú very well know, we completed three games against each other and we played together and debla."

Daniela Hantuchova, who procures initial singles, said: "Waiting has a very difficult match. Pauline Parmentierovej what my revenge. Respects its quality, but my advantage is in the home environment and sufficient knowledge of the game."
@ google translate

Daniela & Escude talking about the tie and the 2009 tie:

What's up with the ball toss on the serve?

What shit-fest this match is! Common Daniela! 5-7 6-1 4-4 oh god from 4-2 up..

I hate fed cup, it does more damage that what it's worth..Daniela should be focussing on her Pattaya defence...not 3 hr battles against the like of Parmentier..

Daniela not playing that ball... gosh.

Why isn't she attacking the FH, it is an obvious weakness of her opponent

She got the job done, at least. Horrible display, though.

3 hours and 6 minutes by the skin of her teeth. Glad she doesn't have to relive and regret that decison not to play the point that was inbounds. If in doubt...PLAY IT.