Belgium and Italy reach Fed Cup Final
 Belgium
and Italy will contest the final of the 2006 Fed Cup by BNP
Paribas on 16-17 September after the two nations recorded
victories in the World Group semifinals over the weekend.
Italy reached its first-ever Fed Cup Final after defeating
Spain 3-1 in Zaragoza, while Belgium overcame USA 4-1 in Ostend.
The final will be held in Belgium.
US Open champion Kim Clijsters led Belgium to its first final
since winning the title in 2001. The world No. 2 came from
a set down to defeat Jamea Jackson 46 62 61 on the opening
day, before overwhelming Vania King 60 61 to give the hosts
a winning 3-0 lead. Kirsten Flipkens, contesting singles in
the absence of Justine Henin-Hardenne, had given Belgium a
surprise lead with a 57 62 64 win over Jill Craybas.
“It’s great to play in an arena like this where
the atmosphere was great,” said Clijsters. “They
were with me from the first point on. This is what you play
tennis for. One of the best memories I have out of my whole
career is being able to play Fed Cup.”
Flavia Pennetta was Italy’s heroine as the team followed
up its win over France with another victory away from home.
The 24-year-old overwhelmed Anabel Medina Garrigues 63 60
in the opening rubber, before overcoming Lourdes Dominiguez-
Lino 64 62 on Sunday to give the Italians a 3-1 winning lead.
Medina Garrigues had kept the Spaniards in the contest with
a 62 62 victory over Francesca Schiavone at the start of the
second day. “This is unbelievable because in the beginning
we didn’t think we could make it to the final. It’s
an incredible sensation to win the last point,” Pennetta
said shortly after being sprayed with water by her celebrating
teammates.
China also created history by reaching the Fed Cup World
Group for the first time. Wimbledon quarterfinalist Na Li
teamed up with two-time Grand Slam doubles champions Zi Yan
and Jie Zheng to score a comfortable 4-1 victory over Germany
in their World Group Play-off tie in Beijing.
Two-time champion France survived a scare before preserving
its World Group status. Severine Bremond and Tatiana Golovin
won the deciding doubles in its 3-2 victory over Czech Republic
in Cagnes-sur-Mer. In other World Group Play-off ties, Japan
whitewashed Austria 5-0 in Tokyo; while title holder Russia
overcame Croatia 3-2 in Umag, having built up a 3-0 winning
lead. Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic and Germany will contest
2007 Fed Cup World Group II.
Australia, Canada and Slovak Republic all scored victories
in the World Group II Play-offs to join Israel in 2007 World
Group II. Canada scored a surprise 3-2 victory over Argentina
in Edmonton; Australia eased past Switzerland 5-0 in Chavannes-de-Bogis;
while Slovak Republic also enjoyed a 5-0 whitewash over Thailand
in Bratislava. Argentina, Switzerland and Thailand will all
contest their respective Zonal Group I events in 2007
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