MINSK, 13 November (BelTA) – Belarus will open the new Fed Cup season with a quarterfinal match against Germany. The game will take place in Minsk on 10-11 February, BelTA has learned.
Following a close defeat (2-3) to the United States in this year's final, current Belarusian leaders Arina Sobolenko and Aleksandra Sasnovich said that they will be doing their best for victories in the future. This season showed that the Belarusians can fight on equal terms against the strongest opponents, team captain Eduard Dubrov said. In his words, the Belarusian tennis players play for a victory against any rival, it is a team of fighters. He emphasized Aleksandra Sasnovich's will to victory, who, failing behind 2-5 against Sloane Stephens, retook the lead and won, and then played in the decisive doubles rubber. The captain noted that the current final is not a defeat, it is a success for the national team. In the future the Belarusian tennis players will become more mature, wiser and will use the experience they gained in this and previous seasons, Eduard Dubrov said.
Belarus' progress was also marked by captain of Team USA Kathy Rinaldi, who said after the tie in Minsk that her team had to exert incredible efforts to win. Team USA leader, world number ten Coco Vandeweghe, who won all her three rubbers, said that the atmosphere at Chizhovka Arena was tremendous, and it was great to play there although the fans cheered for the Belarusian team.
Belarus and the United States may meet again next season. If the Belarusian team beat Germany in the quarterfinal, they will face either the Czech Republic or Switzerland in the semifinal. The Americans will play against the Netherlands in February. If they win, they will play either France or Belgium in the semifinal.
The Fed Cup semifinals are scheduled for 21-22 April. The tie for the champion title is due on 10-11 November 2018.
