World No.1 Serena Williams has pulled out of the Qatar Total Open due to a flu.
Serena said this in a news released by the organisers of the competition “l unfortunately have to withdraw from the Qatar Total Open as I have come down with the flu and do not feel 100 percent.
I need to take this time to recover but I do look forward to returning to Doha and seeing my fans soon.”
The 21-time Grand Slam Champion will not be the only high profile name missing the tournament, as Russian Maria Sharapova has also pulled out of the competition due to an arm injury.
Tournament director Saad Al Mohannadi said the competition “will miss the presence of the World No. 1 Serena Williams” but the tournament would still be “keenly contested”.
Serena Williams photo credit: Yann Caradec https:::creativecommons.org:licenses:by-sa:2.0:legalcode
Big names like Simona Halep, Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber, Garbine Muguruza, Agnieszka Radwanska are all expected to participate in the tournament that begins February 21st.
The ITF has announced the draws for the 2016 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group and World Group II first round ties taking place on 6-7 February.
Three Zone Group I events are also taking place on 3-6 February: Europe/Africa Zone Group I in Eilat, Israel; Americas Zone Group I in Santa Cruz, Bolivia; and Asia/Oceania Zone Group I in Hua Hin, Thailand.
All nations contesting the Zone Group I events are bidding to qualify for the Fed Cup World Group II play-offs on 16-17 April, with two teams qualifying from the Europe/Africa Zone, and one team from both the Americas and Asia/Oceania Zones.
Live scoring is available on the official Fed Cup website. The English and Spanish websites both feature a live blog, reports, photographs, audio interviews and live streaming. There is also a fan zone showing the best social media content at http://www.fedcup.com/showyourcolours.
WORLD GROUP FIRST ROUND
ROMANIA v CZECH REPUBLIC
Venue: Sala Polivalenta Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, ROU (hard – indoor)
Simona Halep (ROU) v Karolina Pliskova (CZE)
Monica Niculescu (ROU) v Petra Kvitova (CZE)
Simona Halep (ROU) v Petra Kvitova (CZE)
Monica Niculescu (ROU) v Karolina Pliskova (CZE)
Andreea Mitu/Raluca Olaru (ROU) v Denisa Allertova/Barbora Strycova (CZE)
GERMANY v SWITZERLAND
Venue: Leipziger Messe, Leipzig, GER (hard – indoor)
Andrea Petkovic (GER) v Belinda Bencic (SUI)
Angelique Kerber (GER) v Timea Bacsinszky (SUI)
Angelique Kerber (GER) v Belinda Bencic (SUI)
Andrea Petkovic (GER) v Timea Bacsinszky (SUI)
Annika Beck/Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) v Viktorija Golubic/Martina Hingis (SUI)
FRANCE v ITALY
Venue: Palais des Sports de Marseille, Marseille, FRA (hard – indoor)
Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) v Camila Giorgi (ITA)
Caroline Garcia (FRA) v Sara Errani (ITA)
Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) v Sara Errani (ITA)
Caroline Garcia (FRA) v Camila Giorgi (ITA)
Oceane Dodin/Pauline Parmentier (FRA) v Martina Caregaro/Sara Errani (ITA)
RUSSIA v NETHERLANDS
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Moscow, RUS (hard – indoor)
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) v Kiki Bertens (NED)
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) v Richel Hogenkamp (NED)
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) v Kiki Bertens (NED)
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) v Richel Hogenkamp (NED)
Darya Kasatkina/Maria Sharapova (RUS) v Cindy Burger/Arantxa Rus (NED)
WORLD GROUP II FIRST ROUND
SLOVAKIA v AUSTRALIA
Venue: Aegon Arena, National Tennis Centre, Bratislava, SVK (hard – indoor)
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK) v Arina Rodionova (AUS)
Jana Cepelova (SVK) v Samantha Stosur (AUS)
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK) v Samantha Stosur (AUS)
Jana Cepelova (SVK) v Arina Rodionova (AUS)
Jana Cepelova/Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) v Casey Dellacqua/Samantha Stosur (AUS)
CANADA v BELARUS
Venue: PEPS, Québec City, CAN (hard – indoor)
Francoise Abanda (CAN) v Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR)
Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) v Olga Govortsova (BLR)
Francoise Abanda (CAN) v Olga Govortsova (BLR)
Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) v Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR)
Gabriela Dabrowski/Carol Zhao (CAN) v Olga Govortsova/Vera Lapko (BLR)
USA v POLAND
Venue: Holua Tennis Center, Kailua Kona, USA (hard – outdoor)
Sloane Stephens (USA) v Magda Linette (POL)
Venus Williams (USA) v Paula Kania (POL)
Venus Williams (USA) v Magda Linette (POL)
Sloane Stephens (USA) v Paula Kania (POL)
Bethanie Mattek-Sands/Coco Vandeweghe (USA) v Klaudia Jans-Ignacik/Alicja Rosolska (POL)
SERBIA v SPAIN
Venue: Kraljevo Sports Centre, Kraljevo, SRB (hard – indoor)
Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) v Garbine Muguruza (ESP)
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) v Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP)
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) v Garbine Muguruza (ESP)
Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) v Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP)
Ivana Jorovic/Nina Stojanovic (SRB) v Lara Arruabarrena/Lourdes Dominguez Lino (ESP)
The ITF has announced the official team nominations for the 2016 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group and World Group II first round ties taking place on 6-7 February.
Three Zone Group I events are also taking place on 3-6 February: Europe/Africa Zone Group I in Eilat, Israel; Americas Zone Group I in Santa Cruz, Bolivia; and Asia/Oceania Zone Group I in Hua Hin, Thailand.
All nations contesting the Zone Group I events will be bidding to qualify for the Fed Cup World Group II play-offs on 16-17 April, with two teams qualifying from the Europe/Africa Zone, and one team from both the Americas and Asia/Oceania Zones.
Live scoring will be available on the official Fed Cup website throughout the week. The English and Spanish websites will both feature a live blog, reports, photographs, audio interviews and live streaming. There will also be a fan zone showing the best social media content at http://www.fedcup.com/showyourcolours.
Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Trophy
WORLD GROUP FIRST ROUND
ROMANIA v CZECH REPUBLIC
Venue: Sala Polivalenta Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, ROU (hard – indoor)
Romania
Simona Halep
Irina-Camelia Begu
Monica Niculescu
Andreea Mitu
Captain: Alina Cercel-Tecsor
Czech Republic
Petra Kvitova
Karolina Pliskova
Barbora Strycova
Denisa Allertova
Captain: Petr Pala
GERMANY v SWITZERLAND
Venue: Leipziger Messe, Leipzig, GER (hard – indoor)
Germany
Angelique Kerber
Andrea Petkovic
Julia Goerges
Annika Beck
Captain: Barbara Rittner
The first Grand Slam of the year (Australian Open) will begin on the 18th of January 2016 . Newfanzone.com takes a look at the big wigs, fixtures and prediction of who wins the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Men’s Preview
Novak Djokovic is always the favorite going into any Grand Slam tournament in recent years. The Serb has won five titles in Melbourne and would be comfortable playing against his opponents. Novak is the defending champion and getting to the finals will be his least target.
Andy Murray had a quite fantastic season last year in which he won the Davis Cup title for Great Britain. He has never won the Australian Open though he has made it to four finals in Melbourne, the latest was in 2015 against Novak Djokovic. The Scot, who kept faith in his coach Amelie Mauresmo will hope their partnership yield a Grand Slam title this year beginning with the Australian Open.
Roger Federer will also be a favorite in Melbourne. The Swiss has struggled a bit this year coupled with him not being 100% fit. He defeated Novak 3 times on hard court in 2015 which means Roger still has what it takes to take him all the way.
Newfanzone player to watch this year Stanislas Wawrinka will definitely be in the mix when it comes to who eventually wins the title. Wawrinka won this competition in 2014(his 1st Grand Slam) defeating Novak Djokovic in the Semis and since then he has gone on to win several Master titles and another Grand Slam title in France. The Swiss has already won a title this year which is a sign of intent already.
Rafael Nadal looks to have put his injury worries behind him as he has already participated in a lot of ATP Masters tourney since coming back from injury. Nadal will push hard for this one but getting to the Semis might seem impossible for him.
Other players to watch that might cause an upset include; Tomas Berdych, Kei Nishikori, David Ferrer, Kevin Anderson,Marin Cilic & Milos Raonic.
It all looks like Novak Djokovic will retain his title at Melbourne. The Serb consistency and mental strength will push him all the way though Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka will prove to be a Banana peel for Novak.
Serena Wiliams doesn’t look 100% fit coming into this one. The world No.1 has been struggling with injuries recently and she might not be able to cope with the intensity of the competition. Though Serena can win the Grand Slam with less than a 100%,she will hope the injury doesn’t affect her all round performance in Melbourne.
Simona Halep has also struggled with injuries and the 2nd best player in the world is yet to win a Grand Slam. This is a good opportunity for Halep to win the much coveted prize taking into consideration Serena’s injury crisis.
Garbine Muguruza retired from the Brisbane Open with a left foot injury. The young Spaniard played good tennis last year and will look to replicate the form especially when it comes to the big stage. Hopefully, she would be fully fit to play in Melbourne as the top seeds have not been convincing enough recently.
Sharapova has won the event before and knows what it takes to win a Grand Slam title. Hopefully she can earn a respectable finish in Australia.
Two time Champion Victoria Azarenka is also playing with confidence this year and she looks like a dark horse for this competition.
Other Notable players that could cause an upset include; Petra Kvitova, Angelique Kerber,Venus Williams, Agnieszka Radwanska,Carla Suarez Navarro,Caroline Wozniacki & Roberta Vinci.
NOTABLE FIRST ROUND DRAWS
* Serena vs Giorgi
* Radwanska vs Konjuh
* Putintseva vs Wozniacki
* Hibino vs Sharapova
* C.S Navarro vs Vinci
* Bouchard vs Krunic
* Qualifier vs Kvitova
* Azarenka vs Uytvanck
* Kontaveit vs Muguruza
* Ivanovic vs Patterson
* Qualifier vs Halep
* Keys vs Diyas
* Venus vs Konta
NEWFANZONE VERDICT
The winner would be too tight to call with Serena struggling with injuries recently. The Newfanzone.com player to watch for 2016 Garbine Muguruza might just get to win her first Grand Slam title this year.
You can predict the winner of the Australian open by leaving a comment here or by tweeting @newfanzone and @demydemo. Remember Newfanzone comes up every saturday on City 105.1fm from 2pm
With the end of the 2015 Tennis season, we at Newfanzone.com take a look at what happened during the course of the year in Nigeria, and also at the ATP and WTA levels.
NIGERIA
Egypt’s Omar Assar and Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri during the presentation for the men’s singles final won by the Egyptian at the ITTF World Tour, Lagos Open at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium at the weekend
Unlike the amazing year we had in 2014 when it comes to Table Tennis, this year performance from our athletes was a bit below expectation.
In the Month of March, we had the ITTF World Tour (Lagos Open) at the Molade Okoya Thomas Hall where big names on the Continent such as Omar Assar, Dina Meshref, Aruna Quadri, Ojo Onaolapo, Funke Oshonaike, Shagdy Magdy, Offiong Edem, and also Portuguese Stars such as Jieni Shao, Andre & Diogo Silva participated in the tournament. It was quite a poor outing for team Nigeria, where our only win came from the Men’s double final courtesy Aruna Quadri and Makanjuola Kazeem. The Lagos Open also showed that the future of Nigeria Table Tennis is promising if our administrators manage the crop of young players in the ranks such as Hassan Nurudeen, Muibat Bello & Ayobami Animashaun.
Victorious Nigerian Men’s Table Tennis Team at the AAG
The All African games also showed that apart from Egypt, Congo has also grown as a real threat and are ready to challenge Nigeria come 2016 when it comes to playing tennis on the table with the likes of Wang Jinan, Yuheng Li & Han Xing.
Team Nigeria had a fairly good showing at the AAG, winning the men’s team event and other medals.
In Lawn tennis, we saw the return of the Governor’s cup in which 38 countries participated in. The farthest Nigeria could go in the competition was the Quarter-Finals where Chris Paul fell at the hands of South-African Lloyd Harris 6-1,6-0. The competition which took place at the Lagos lawn tennis club in Onikan was won by Antal Van Der Dium ( Male) and Conny Perrin (Female). The final also witnessed the presence of the Minister of Youths and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalong and the Governor of Lagos State Akinwunmi Ambode.
Governor Ambode presents runner up trophy of men’s singles to Zimbabwe
There were a few Positives to take home this year from Nigerian Tennis (especially Table Tennis) and with the necessary funds hopefully we would have a better 2016 when it comes to playing tennis either on the Table, Grass, Clay or Hard court.
The WTA Season
Serena Williams, French Open photo credit: Yann Caradec https:::creativecommons.org:licenses:by-sa:4.0:legalcode
The WTA season this year was quite one sided as the big players were not good enough to stop Serena Williams from winning 3 Grand Slam titles (Australian Open, Roland Garros & Wimbledon). The American lost 3 games out of 53 which further proves how consistent she has been throughout this year.
World No.2 Simona Halep was disappointing this season winning just 3 WTA titles. Halep could not even take her opportunity when Serena was beaten at the US Open and her absence during the season ending WTA finals as she was beaten by Flavia Pennetta and Agnieszka Radwanska respectively. Maybe Halep needs to change her Coach in Darren Cahill as she seem not to be getting it when it comes to the Slams.
Spaniard Garbine Muguruza has had a wonderful 2015 and she would hope she takes this sort of form next year especially during the Slams.
The 22 year old had a blissful campaign this season as she ended the year as world No.3 (Youngest Player in the top 10) behind “Miss Consistent” Serena Williams and Simona Halep.
Muguruza has emerged top pick to represent Spain in the forthcoming Olympics and she would also team up with Carla Suarez Navarro and Rafael Nadal in the doubles.
Sharapova would need to be fit if she wants to have a go at any Grand Slam title this year. The former French Open Champion is still a winner any day, but she needs to be consistent and hope to be injury free come next season.
Garbine Muguruza – The young Spaniard was very fantastic last season as she got to the final of Wimbledon which she lost to Serena Williams. Muguruza won WTA Singles title in this past season, and certainly the 22 year old would be eyeing a Grand Slam title come next season. With the epileptic form of her compatriots,apart from Serena,trust Muguruza to go all the way come next season.
Novak ruled the Men tennis in this outgoing season with fantastic displays winning three Grand Slam titles in the process, finishing the year as No.1 and ranked 5th for the all time weeks at world No.1 moving past Rafael Nadal and John McEnroe in the process.
The Serb knows how to turn up in the Slams and how to defeat the big boys when it matters most. One sad thing on Novak’s mind this season would be his loss on clay to Swiss, Stanislas Wawrinka after he had defeated “The Master Of Clay” Rafael Nadal in the Semis. Novak would no doubt put in much effort to see if he could win that much coveted Roland Garros title come next season.
British No.1 Andy Murray, had had a fairly good season ending the year as the 2nd best player in the world. Murray who helped Britain win the Davis cup title after many years would have his sights at the Olympics in Rio come next season. Andy kept his manager Amelie Mauresmo at the end of this season which shows that he was satisfied with the level of performance he showed this season. Barring any injuries,Andy would give Novak a fight come next season.
Roger Federer also had a decent season, though the Swiss would still want to win a Grand Slam title. It would be very difficult for Federer come next season with the form of the two players ahead of him in the rankings. On his day, the Swiss Master who became the 3rd player in the Open era to win 1000 Grand Slam titles, would defeat any player that come up against him.
Rafael Nadal would hope to forget this past season as injuries hampered him from competing at his peak. The Spaniard would sure look forward to his favorite surface (Clay) as a great chance to win yet another Grand Slam title come next year.
Stanislas Wawrinka photo credit: Kate https:::creativecommons.org:licenses:by-sa:2.0:legalcode.
Stanislas Wawrinka – The Swiss international just has a way of doing his business quietly and getting results. Wawrinka won Roland Garros this year and has been consistent all year long making the Semis of Grand Slam tournaments and also winning ATP titles. He would definitely be a dark horse next year in any Grand Slam competition and trust the Swiss not to disappoint.
The tennis has been fantastic this season from the local athletes to their foreign compatriots and we at Newfanzone.com believes 2016 would be a much better year where new discoveries would be made especially when it comes to Nigeria.
Daria Kasatkina as handed Lucie Safarova has handed the last spot in the season ending WTA Finals in Singapore by defeating Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1 6-2 at the Kremlin Cup in Moscow Russia.
Safava would not had made it to Singapore if Navarro had made it to the finals of the Kremlin Cup.
Lucie Safarova will join Simona Halep, Garbiñe Muguruza, Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova, Agnieszka Radwanska, Angelique Kerber and Flavia Pennetta in Singapore.
Safarova won two Grand slam titles in the doubles event of the French Open and Australia Open this year, but the highlight of singles career this year was playing at the French Open Finals.
Timea Bacsinszky and Venus Williams are on standby as first and second alternates, respectively.
Venus Williams won her 47th WTA singles title as opponent Garbine Muguruza pulled out of the Wuhan Open final with an ankle injury when trailing 6-3 3-0.
Both players came into the tournament less than fully fit, with Williams, struggling with a thigh problem.
The American, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, used her experience to good effect in the first set of the final.
She broke Wimbledon finalist Muguruza twice in the second set before the 21-year-old Spaniard withdrew.
Williams, who was taken to three sets by Britain’s Johanna Konta in the quarter-finals and Italian Roberto Vinci in the semi-finals, made a slow start but her superior hitting helped her go 4-2 up.
The ITF today announced a shortlist of ten players to receive the first four Fed Cup Heart Awards of 2015. Awards will be presented in four categories based on performances in the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group and World Group II first round ties, and the three Zone Group I events at the beginning of February.
Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU), Kristina Mladenovic (FRA), Andrea Petkovic (GER) and Arantxa Rus (NED) have all been shortlisted for the World Group/World Group II award. Cagla Buyukakcay (TUR) and Ivana Jorovic (SRB) have been shortlisted for Europe/Africa; Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR) and Marcela Zacarias (MEX) for Americas; and Kurumi Nara (JPN) and Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA) for Asia/Oceania.
The players were shortlisted by the Heart Award judging panel, consisting of ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti and a mixture of former players and members of the international media. A public vote, running on 30 March – 3 April, is being held on FedCup.com and FedCup.com/es to decide the four winners, who will all receive a cheque to be donated to their chosen charity. The winners will be announced during the week of the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group semifinals and play-off ties on 18-19 April.
ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said: “The Fed Cup Heart Award is entering its seventh year and continues to recognise the outstanding contributions made by players to their country and the competition. Fed Cup by BNP Paribas celebrated its 50th birthday in 2013 in the ITF centenary year, and I would like to acknowledge the efforts of all the players during this time who have helped Fed Cup grow to enjoy the success that it does today.”
The Fed Cup Heart Award is an ITF initiative that was first presented to USA’s Melanie Oudin at the 2009 Fed Cup Final. It aims to recognise players who have represented their country with distinction, shown exceptional courage on court and demonstrated outstanding commitment to their team. A total of five players will be recognised in 2015. To cast your vote, visit the Fed Cup website
Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU)
With Romania trailing Spain 2-1, defeated Silvia Soler-Espinosa, then partnered Monica Niculescu to victory over Anabel Medina Garrigues and Garbine Muguruza.
Kristina Mladenovic (FRA)
Brought into singles on the second day, defeated Sara Errani, then partnered Caroline Garcia to a deciding doubles victory over Errani and Roberta Vinci.
Andrea Petkovic (GER)
Scored dramatic three-set victories over Samantha Stosur and Jarmila Gajdosova to give Germany a 3-1 winning lead over Australia.
Arantxa Rus (NED)
Ranked No. 230, upset No. 50 Magdalena Rybarikova and No. 59 Anna Schmiedlova to help Netherlands defeat Slovakia.
Europe/Africa Zone Group I
Cagla Buyukakcay (TUR)
Won all three singles rubbers for Turkey, upsetting the higher-ranked Elina Svitolina and Heather Watson.
Ivana Jorovic (SRB)
Won all three singles rubbers on her debut as Serbia qualified for the World Group II play-offs.
Americas Zone Group I
Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR)
Won all seven singles and doubles rubbers as Paraguay qualified for the World Group II play-offs.
Marcela Zacarias (MEX)
Won all three singles rubbers as Mexico narrowly lost out to Paraguay for a place in the promotional play-offs.
Asia/Oceania Zone Group I
Kurumi Nara (JPN)
Led Japan’s qualification for the World Group II play-offs, defeating Yaroslava Shvedova in a dramatic promotional play-off singles rubber.
Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA)
At the age of 37, won four of her five singles and doubles rubbers for Thailand, and has now played 57 ties for her country.
VALUE OF CHEQUES
$10,000: World Group semifinals winner (x1)
$6,000: World Group / World Group II first round winner (x1)
$1,000: Zone Group I winners (x3)
JUDGING PANEL
Francesco Ricci Bitti (ITA), ITF President
Sabine Appelmans (BEL), former Fed Cup player/captain
Mercedes Paz (ARG), former Fed Cup player
Craig Gabriel (AUS), international journalist
Sandra Harwitt (USA), international journalist
Corinne Dubreuil (FRA), international photographer
Ray Giubilo (ITA), international photographer
Please find below Sunday’s results from the 2015 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group and World Group II first round ties taking place on 7-8 February.
In the World Group semifinals, on 18-19 April, Russia will be at home to Germany, while France will be away to Czech Republic.
Maria Sharapova photo credit upi.com
Netherlands, Romania, Switzerland and USA, the four winners in World Group II, have qualified for the World Group play-offs on 18-19 April, where they will be joined by the four World Group first round losers, Australia, Canada, Italy and Poland.
Belarus, Japan, Paraguay and Serbia, who all qualified from their respective Zone Group I events which finished on Saturday, will contest the World Group II play-offs on 18-19 April, where they will be joined by the four World Group II losers, Argentina, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden.
The draw for the World Group play-offs and World Group II play-offs will be held at the ITF offices in London on Tuesday 10 February at 10:00 GMT. The seeds will be based on the new Fed Cup Nations Ranking of 9 February.
Simona Halep (ROU) d. Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) 62 61
Garbine Muguruza (ESP) d. Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) 63 62
Garbine Muguruza (ESP) d. Simona Halep (ROU) 64 63
Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) d. Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) 62 64
Irina-Camelia Begu/Monica Niculescu (ROU) d. Anabel Medina Garrigues/Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 57 63 62
SWITZERLAND defeated SWEDEN 3-1
Venue: Helsingborg Arena, Helsingborg, SWE (hard – indoors)
Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) d. Rebecca Peterson (SWE) 76(4) 60
Belinda Bencic (SUI) d. Johanna Larsson (SWE) 61 62
Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) d. Johanna Larsson (SWE) 63 76(5)
Rebecca Peterson (SWE) v Belinda Bencic (SUI) not played
Johanna Larsson/Rebecca Peterson (SWE) d. Viktorija Golubic/Xenia Knoll (SUI) 57 62 [10-5]
USA defeated ARGENTINA 4-1
Venue: Pilara Tennis Club, Buenos Aires (clay – outdoors)
Venus Williams (USA) d. Paula Ormaechea (ARG) 63 62
Serena Williams (USA) d. Maria Irigoyen (ARG) 75 60
Paula Ormaechea (ARG) d. CoCo Vandeweghe (USA) 64 64
Venus Williams (USA) d. Maria Irigoyen (ARG) 61 64
Taylor Townsend/CoCo Vandeweghe (USA) d. Tatiana Bua/Nadia Podoroska (ARG) 62 63
The ITF has announced the official team nominations for the 2015 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group and World Group II first round ties taking place on 7-8 February.
Four Zone Group events are also taking place in the week commencing 2 February: Europe/Africa Zone Group I in Budapest, Hungary (4-7 February); Americas Zone Group I in San Luis Potosi, Mexico (4-7 February); Asia/Oceania Zone Group I in Guangzhou, China (4-7 February); and Europe/Africa Zone Group II in Tallinn, Estonia (4-7 February)
All nations contesting the Zone Group I events will be bidding to qualify for the Fed Cup World Group II play-offs on 18-19 April, with two teams qualifying from the Europe/Africa Zone, and one team from both the Americas and Asia/Oceania Zones.
Live scoring for the World Group and World Group II ties will be available on the official Fed Cup website throughout the weekend of 7-8 February and both the English and Spanish websites will feature a live blog, reports, photographs, audio interviews, podcasts and live streaming. A live blog and full coverage of the Zone Group events will run 4-7 February. There will also be a fan zone showing the best social media content at http://www.fedcup.com/showyourcolours.
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