All tennis federation cup winners. Fought to the end! Belarus lost to the USA in the final of the Federation Cup. Match Rules

The 2018 Tennis Federation Cup is the 56th women's team championship, which will run from February to November 2018. The Russian national team will also be among the participants of the tournament. Our girls will play in the second strongest division. A successful performance will allow the Russians to move to the Fed Cup major league. However, the rivals of our athletes also want to get the coveted ticket. Therefore, the struggle promises to be rich in transcendental emotions!

Competition regulations

This is a competition for women's teams, an analogue of the Davis Cup. Tennis squads play among themselves in several leagues. The top division is World Group I. Next comes World Group II. There are also three more groups, which in turn are divided into zonal levels.

For all of them, except for the top division, there is a single rotation principle: the worst teams go down to the lower group, and the best ones, respectively, get a promotion. The best teams from World Group I compete for the Fed Cup trophy.

When does the 2018 Tennis Federation Cup start

The first matches in the world groups will start on February 10, 2018. The exact date of the end of the season is not known. Most likely, the last round of the competition will take place in the first half of November and will roughly coincide with the end of the 107th edition of the Davis Cup.

Tournament participants

In total, almost 100 tennis teams will take part in the competition. But only 7 of them will represent the elite. Here is a list of them:

1. Belarus;
2. Belgium;
3. Czech;
4. France;
5. Germany;
6. Netherlands;

The path to the trophy will begin for them immediately from the quarterfinals, which will be held on February 10, 2018. The following duets of rivals will identify the strongest:

• Belarus - Germany;
• Czech Republic - Switzerland;
• Belgium - France;
• Netherlands - USA.

According to the results of the fights, the winners will continue to fight in the semifinals. But the losers will have to face the first four teams of the second strongest league. In a special mini-tournament, they will decide the fate of four tickets to World Group I.

Russian national team at the tennis Federation Cup 2018

Our team did not have a very successful last season. Russia, playing in World Group II, was given the chance to qualify for the elite division. The rivals of our girls were the Belgians. But fortune was on the side of the athletes from Belgium. They won with a minimum score of 3: 2. The Russian team did not go down and did not get a promotion, staying with it.

Our girls' opponents in the upcoming Fed Cup will be tennis players from the following countries:

• Australia;
• Canada;
• Spain;
• Italy;
• Romania;
• Slovakia;
• Ukraine.

The first rivals of the Russians will be the representatives of Slovakia. The two teams will meet at the Bratislava Aegon Arena. The fights within the match will take place on February 10 and 11, 2018. Our team has already played with Slovakia several times - in 1999, 2001 and 2013. In all three meetings, the victory remained with the Russians.

Afterword

This is how the most up-to-date information about the tournament looks like. Particularly interesting is the information about the national squad. Russian women will not be able to compete for the championship trophy, for this you need to be a member of the top division. But no one is stopping our tennis players from competing for a place in the elite in order to compete for the main prize of the competition next year. Let's hope that our girls will take Fed Cup 2018 no less seriously than Wimbledon 2018 or Roland Garros 2018.

Tennis Federation Cup (Fed Cup, until 1995 - Federation Cup) is the world tennis championship among national women's teams. The organizer of the competition is the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
A similar tournament for men is the Davis Cup.

Tennis Federation Cup (Fed Cup). History of origin

Mrs Hazel Hochkiss Wyman came up with the idea of ​​holding the championship back in 1919, when an Englishwoman put forward the concept of a women's team competition. But her proposal was not supported, and in 1923 Mrs. Whiteman organized a meeting between the national teams of the USA and Great Britain and provided the prize.
Later in the 1960s, attention was drawn to the idea again. The main initiator of this was the wife of the famous tennis player from Australia Harry Hopman, who acts as the captain of his national team in the Davis Cup. In 1963, the women's national teams tournament was held in London, dedicated to the fiftieth anniversary of the ITF. The competition was attended by 16 teams, and the victory was won by the United States team.
Until the 1970s, the tournament participants had to cover the costs of participating in the competitions (travel, accommodation, etc.), but one way or another the number of teams was large, and after the teams began to attract sponsors in the 70s of the twentieth century, the number of people willing to take participation in the championship has increased even more.
The rapid growth in the number of participating countries led to the introduction of a new tournament formula: pre-qualifying competitions were introduced (1992). In 1995, the format of the championship was changed: from now on, fights were held on the territory of one of the countries participating in the match. In 2005, the format underwent another change: the 16 strongest national tennis countries were singled out into two World Groups, which played the cup during the tennis season.

Tennis Federation Cup (Fed Cup). Modern regulations and structure

Every year the 8 strongest teams from the World Group compete for the trophy. Matches are played according to the playoff system, that is, the losing team is eliminated from the draw. First, a draw is carried out, as a result of which the tournament grid is formed. The first round is one fourth of the final. The winners of the quarterfinals advancing to the semifinals. World Group II also consists of eight teams, but here the teams are drawn in pairs and, and the winners play the World Group playoffs with the teams eliminated from the Federation Cup in the World Group in the quarterfinals for the right to play in the elite division next season and fight for the Cup. The winners of the World Group playoffs next season start the Fed Cup in the World Group, and the losing teams, respectively, in the World Group II.
Subsequent levels are divided into zones: America (two groups), Europe / Africa (three groups), Asia / Oceania (two groups). Zonal group matches are played in a round robin system, which varies slightly depending on the zone. According to the results of the zonal tournaments, one of the best teams from the America and Asia / Oceania zones is selected, as well as the two best teams from the Europe / Africa zone, which receive the right to play the qualifying tournament with the outsiders of World Group II. The qualifying winners will compete in World Group II next year, and the losers will move to their respective zone groups.

Tennis Federation Cup (Fed Cup). Match regulations

The matches between the World Group and World Group II teams, as well as the qualifying matches, consist of five bouts taking place over two days. To win, you need to win at least three out of five. On the first day, two singles are played. In the second, the opponents of the single fights of the first day switch places. The last fight is a meeting of duets.
Zone group matches consist of three matches: two singles and one doubles.
In February 2013, the Competition Committee made changes to the regulations for the matches related to the World Groups: now if in all matches except the final after the first three singles matches the score becomes 3: 0 in favor of one of the teams, the fourth singles match is not held, but the doubles play immediately a meeting. If in a doubles match the score in sets becomes 1: 1, then the winner is determined in a tie-break of up to 10 points. Also, if the score after single meetings becomes 3: 1 in favor of one of the teams, then in a doubles duel, also with a score of 1: 1 in parties, a tie-break of up to 10 chocks is played to determine the winner. If the fate of the match is decided in doubles (with a score of 2: 2 after single meetings), then with a score of 1: 1 in sets, the winner is determined in a full-fledged deciding game.
Federation Cup matches are hosted by the country which of the two participants in the match is in the special rating of the Federation Cup higher than the opponent.

Two exciting fights took place at the Chizhovka Arena. First, Alexandra Sasnovich lost to Coco Vandeweghe - 4: 6, 4: 6, and then Arina Sobolenko defeated Sloane Stevens in a dramatic three-set match - 6: 3, 3: 6, 6: 4.

Arina Sobolenko - Coco Vandeweghe - 6: 7 (5: 7), 1: 6

The second day began with a match between Arina Sobolenko and Coco Vandeweghe. Most of the first set was an equal fight, tennis players took turns taking their serves. With the score 5: 4 in her favor, Arina Sobolenko tried to break this tendency, who had a set-ball in the tenth game.

Alas, Vandeweghe was able not only to play it back and take her serve (5: 5), but then also win on Arina's serve. Sobolenko replied with a reverse break, after which the set switched to a tie-break.

The Belarusian started well and took the lead 4: 1. After that, Koko seriously added and won 5 points in a row. Arina reduced it to 5: 6, but Vandeweghe still won this set - 6: 7 (5: 7).

An offensive loss broke Sobolenko, and Vandeweghe, on the contrary, added. The American showed incredible tennis and quickly showed that she intends to end the match in the second set. Koko was leading 5: 0, then Sobolenko took her serve, but in the seventh game Vandeweghe finished the match with two break points - 7: 6, 6: 1.

Alexandra Sasnovich - Sloane Stevens - 4: 6, 6: 1, 8: 6

After them, Alexandra Sasnovich and Sloane Stevens entered the court. In the first set, the third game became the key, when Stevens made a break on the serve of the Belarusian. During the set Alexandra had several opportunities to make a reverse break, but Sloane still won all her serves - 6: 4 in favor of the American.

The second set was one of the best for Sasnovich for the entire season. She tore Stevens apart throughout the game - 6: 1.

Everything was decided in the third set, which became a real drama. Stevens made a break in the sixth game, then took her serve and took the lead 5-2. The American women were already going to celebrate the victory in the Fed Cup, but Alexandra showed character and evened the score, and then made a break - 6: 5.

The American responded with a reverse break (6: 6), but Sasnovich won again on her serve. In the decisive game, driven by the stands, Alexander brought Belarus a second point - 8: 6 in the set and 2: 2 in the whole match.

Alexandra Sasnovich / Arina Sobolenko - Coco Vandeweghe / Shelby Rogers - 3: 6, 6: 7 (3: 7)

Thus, the fate of the title was determined in the doubles meeting, before the start of which the captains decided to make substitutions. Alexandra Sasnovich and Arina Sobolenko played for us, Shelby Rogers and Coco Vandeweghe played for the USA. Note that Alexandra entered the court half an hour after the most dramatic battle with Stevens.

It can be seen that the girls were tired, but their fighting spirit neutralized the heaviness in their legs after the most difficult matches.

At the beginning of the meeting, both couples, due to lack of play, made a number of mistakes, but won their serve. The breakdown happened when the score was 3: 3. The Americans continued to play confidently on their serve, and also made breaks on the serves Sobolenko and Sasnovich - 6: 3.

The Americans started the second set well, leading 2: 1, but then our girls seriously improved. They played great on the Vandeweghe serve, and then issued another break - 5: 2. It seemed that the game would go into the third set, but the Americans began to recoup, and the Belarusians did not use several set-balls. The score became 5: 5, after which our girls made another break. Alas, the American women answered them in the same way - 6: 6.

Everything was decided in a tie-break, which the American women had more confidently - 7: 3. The victory in the fifth match allowed them to become the owners of the trophy.

Tennis player, Davis Cup team captain Harry Hopman. Eventually, the tournament was held in honor of the 50th anniversary of the International Tennis Federation in Queen's Club, London and was open to teams from any country, not just the United States and the United Kingdom. 16 teams participated in the competition, among which were practically all the world elite of tennis of that time, the USA team won in the very first tournament.

Development

The number of teams participating in the first tournament was large, despite the fact that they were not paid prize money and the participants had to fully support themselves during the trip and performances. With the advent of sponsors in the 1970s. the number of participating countries has increased even more. By the year, their number had reached 73. This required the host country of the tournament to have a whole tennis complex for the matches. At the same time, such a major event gave a significant boost to the development of the sport in the host country.

Changing the format of the event

The increase in the number of participating countries led to the introduction of qualifying competitions in B, the format of the Cup was changed. Based on the successful experience of the Davis Cup, the tournament organizers changed the scheme, allowing teams to play matches for their country at home, which further contributed to the growth of popularity. After another change of the format in the city, the strongest tennis nations were singled out in two World groups of 8 countries in each, which play the Cup during the year. The rest of the participants are divided into zonal qualification groups.

In the 2005 Federation Cup, 88 teams from different countries took part.

Tournament format

Current structure

Federation Cup matches are played between teams divided into different levels and groups. The group's winners and outsiders move to another level next season.

The first two levels are represented by World Group I and World Group II (World Group I, World Group II), matches in them are held according to the Olympic system (the losing team is eliminated from the tournament). The World Group I teams that lose in the first round of the tournament play a qualifying tournament with the top four teams in World Group II for the right to compete in the top group next season. The World Group II Outsiders are playing a qualifying tournament with the best lower tier teams for the right to compete in World Group II next season.

Subsequent levels are divided by zones: America (2 groups), Europe / Africa (3 groups), Asia / Oceania (2 groups), matches are played in a round robin system, which differ slightly in different zones. According to the results of the tournaments, one of the best teams from the America and Asia / Oceania zones is selected, as well as the two best teams from the Europe / Africa zone, which get the right to play the qualifying tournament with the outsiders of World Group II. The qualifying winners will compete in World Group II next year, and the losers will move to the zonal groups.

Structure as of 2005

Match Rules

The matches between the teams of the World Groups, as well as the qualifying tournaments, consist of five matches played over two days. To win, you need to win at least three out of five. Single matches are played on the first day. On the second day, the singles opponents switch places and two more matches are played. The last match was doubles.

In zonal groups, meetings are held in three matches and on one day: two singles and one doubles.

Winners

The United States has won the Cup the most - 17 times. Seven victories for the national teams of Australia and the Czech Republic (taking into account the victories of Czechoslovakia), five victories for Spain, the Russian national team won the Federation Cup four times.

Tournament records

Notes (edit)

see also

Links

• Official site (eng.)

Not even a year has passed since the reforms touched the Davis Cup. And now the women's tennis world team championship has also received a new formula. This is stated in a special release from ITF, according to tennis.by.

Major innovations

Now they will compete for the victory in the Federation Cup 20 countries every year, not 8, as it was before.

In 2020-2022, the Fed Cup finals will be held in Budapest. There 12 national teams will play for 6 days. 16 countries will take part in the qualifying round in February. These will be home or guest meetings. The Fed Cup Finals will have a prize pool of $ 12 million for players and $ 6 million for National Federations. Changes approved by Global Fed Cup Ambassador Billie Jean King.

The first Fed Cup Finals under the new scheme will take place on April 14-19, 2020 in Budapest, in the arena named after Laszlo Papp. The surface for the final matches will be clay. There are two playing courts.

Of course, the main innovation is the increase to 20 teams in the number of national teams that will directly compete for the title. In the past, there were 8 such teams. This was called the World Group. 12 teams will play in the Fed Cup Finals: 8 winners of the qualifying round, 2 last year's finalists, one ticket will be held by the host country, and one team will receive a wild card.

16 countries will participate in the 2020 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas qualifying round on February 7-8. The matches will be played in the classic home-away format. The matches will consist of 4 singles matches and doubles. 8 winners will advance to Fed Cup Finals. Already, places in the decisive round have been secured by Australia and France as the finalists of the current draw and Hungary as the host country. Another team will receive a wild card.

The following countries will participate in the qualifying round: Belarus, Belgium, Brazil (one of the two highest-rated teams from those who lost a World Group II playoff match in 2019), Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan, Kazakhstan (the second of the two highest-rated teams from those who lost the 2019 World Group II playoff match), Latvia, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland and the United States.

The Fed Cup Finals will be a round robin group tournament. The national teams will be divided into 4 groups, in which there will be three teams. The winner of each group advances to the Fed Cup Finals. Finalists are guaranteed to participate in the Fed Cup Finals next year. Teams ranked 3-10 will play in the qualifying round next year. The Fed Cup Finals will feature two singles and one doubles.

The new format was approved by the ITF board following an extensive review process and consultation with the National Federations, the WTA and the WTA Player Council.

The new format was specially tailored to the women's tennis calendar, and it provides for the reduction of the Fed Cup to two weeks a year. One of the goals is to keep players healthy by extending the off-season. For this, the final was moved to April from November.

There will be no changes to the format of the regional group competition, which will continue to consist of a weekly round-robin group competition. Regional winners will advance to the playoffs to face the losers in the Fed Cup Finals qualifying round. Next year's 8 playoff winners will play in the Fed Cup Finals qualifying round.

The increase in the Fed Cup prize pool provides an additional $ 4.9 million for countries competing below the elite tier. As conceived by the organizers, these reforms will help ITF in its mission to develop tennis for future generations, ensuring long-term growth and popularization.