February 9, 2015 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Calvin Rhoden
The United States pushed past Argentina 4-1 in a Fed Cup tie on Sunday to move into the World Group Playoff later on this year. Venus Williams won the deciding match in the best-of-five tie, knocking off Maria Irigoyen 6-1, 6-4 to give the United States a 3-1 lead, rendering the fifth match obsolete.
On Saturday, Venus and younger sister Serena swept the opening two singles matches to give American the commanding 2-0 lead.
Serena was unable to go on Sunday due to illness and so she was replaced by Coco Vandeweghe. The New York City native had a chance to clinch it for the U.S., but fell short as Paula Ormaechea notched a 6-4, 6-4 win to keep the Argentineans alive.
That meant that Venus had a chance to seal the match, or the tie would be sent into a deciding doubles match. The elder statesmen for the Americans would not allow that to happen, and disposed of Irigoyen in a little over an hour.
The Americans now advance and will play one of the losers of the World Group first rounds. The draws for that stage will be announced on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
