Cleveland to Host U.S. and Italy for Opening Round 2014 Fed Cup Match
The USTA hasannounced that the Public Auditorium in Cleveland has been selected as the site for the 2014 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group First Round between the U.S. and reigning Fed Cup champion Italy, Feb. 8-9. Fed Cup is the world’s largest annual international team competition (96 countries have entered for 2014). The U.S. and Italy are among the eight nations eligible to win the 2014 title as part of the elite Fed Cup World Group. The best-of-five match series begins on Saturday, Feb. 8, with two singles matches and is followed by two reverse singles matches and the doubles match on Sunday, Feb. 9. The winner of this match will advance to face either Spain or the Czech Republic in the semifinals, April 19-20.
“I am thrilled that Fed Cup is headed to Cleveland for the first time,” said U.S. Fed Cup Team Captain Mary Joe Fernandez, who resides in Cleveland. “Italy is a tough team with a strong record in Fed Cup, and playing them is always challenging and exciting for us. Living in Cleveland, I am happy that Ohio will get to see some high-quality tennis, and I expect tennis fans to fill the stands to cheer on Team USA.”
Ohio will be hosting Fed Cup for the first time, becoming the 15th state to host a Fed Cup tie. Davis Cup, the men’s equivalent to Fed Cup, was hosted in Cleveland 10 times between 1960 to 1979, including the 1973 Davis Cup Final at the Public Auditorium, where the U.S. lost to Australia. Notable Davis Cup players who have competed in Cleveland include Arthur Ashe, John McEnroe, Charlie Pasarell, and Rod Laver. The United States Fed Cup Team will be competing in its second consecutive home tie after Serena Williams and Venus Williams led the U.S. to victory over Sweden in Delray Beach, Fla., in the 2013 World Group Playoff. The U.S. is 37-4 all-time in Fed Cup ties played at home and holds an overall 143-33 record.
This match will mark the 13th matchup between the U.S. and Italy in Fed Cup competition. Italy won the last three meetings, but the U.S. leads the overall series, 9-3. The U.S. last faced Italy in the 2013 World Group First Round, losing a close, 3-2, tie in Rimini, Italy. The U.S. also played Italy in consecutive Fed Cup World Group finals in 2009 and 2010, both won by the Italians. The U.S. last won against Italy in the 2003 World Group Quarterfinal in Washington, D.C. The site selection is subject to final approval by the International Tennis Federation. Tennis Channel will present live daily coverage of the World Group First Round. The United States leads all nations with 17 Fed Cup titles, the last coming in 2000.
