The U.S. Fed Cup team landed in Group C with Spain and Slovakia when the 2020 Fed Cup Finals draw was unveiled for Budapest on April 14-19 on red clay.
We have been drawn into Group C with 🇪🇸 & 🇸🇰 for the #FedCup Finals in Budapest.#TeamUSATennis 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/YWMPJo6UPv
— USTA (@usta) February 11, 2020
In the new format the U.S. is among 12 countries in the final, with three countries to a group and the winner of each group advancing to the semifinals. Tuesday’s draw in Budapest’s Museum of Fine Arts paired the 18-time winners the U.S. with the five-time winners Spain in Group C.
Spain’s top three players are No. 16-ranked Garbine Muguruza, the former No. 1 and last month’s Australian Open runner-up; No. 55 Carla Suarez Navarro who is in her last year on tour, and No. 78-ranked Sara Sorribes Tormo. Slovakia’s top three player options are No. 65-ranked Viktoria Kuzmova, No. 161 Jana Cepelova and No. 164 Kristina Kucova.
The U.S. advanced to the finals last weekend, edging Latvia 3-2 in the deciding doubles. Top-ranked American Sofia Kenin and former No. 1 Serena Williams of Florida represented the U.S. in singles, and Kenin and Bethanie Mattek-Sands teamed in doubles to clinch the tie for the U.S.
France defeated Australia in the last final of the team event’s previous format in November. Individual ties for the final this year will consist of two singles matches followed by a doubles.
“Women’s tennis has always been the leader in women’s sport,” said American former No. 1 Billie Jean King who was present at the draw ceremony, speaking of the new format. “This sends a very strong message. I’m very excited and really want to thank Hungary and everyone involved. This is an amazing opportunity.”
Group A is comprised of defending champion France, Hungary, and traditional powerhouse Russia; Group B is Australia, Belgium, Belarus; and Group D the powerhouse Czech Republic, Germany and Switzerland.
For more info go to www.FedCup.com.
