Fed Cup In Photos: USA Wins 4-1 to Advance

LA JOLLA - The United states defeated Germany 3-1 in a Fed Cup tie held at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club on February 2 & 4.

The U.S. team was led by veteran Lindsay Davenport (shown in the top two photos). She beat Germany's Julia Goerges (pictured below), 6-1, 6-2 on Monday to give the Americans a 2-1 advantage.

In the next match, Ashley Harkleroad swept Sabine Lisicki in two sets to send the USA into the next round against Russia. The U.S. won the doubles match to finish of the Germans, 4-1.

Photos: Jonathan Greene/NC Sports

USA Advances in Fed Cup

LA JOLLA, California (Ticker) -- The United States swept both singles matches against Germany on Monday to advance to the semifinals of the Fed Cup. Lindsay Davenport bounced back from a surprising loss on Saturday by dominating Germany's Julia Goerges 6-1, 6-2 to give the United States a 2-1 lead in the tie. Ashley Harkleroad sealed the victory with a hard-earned 6-4, 7-5 victory over Sabine Lisicki, giving the Americans an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the best-of-five format. Davenport and Lisa Raymond are scheduled to face Georges and Anna-Lena Groenefeld in doubles action.

Harkleroad's win guaranteed that the U.S. will advance to a semifinal April 26-27 against defending champion Russia, which defeated Israel, 4-1, on Sunday. Germany hasn't won this event since 1992 and is now 4-8 against the U.S. Lisicki handed Davenport her first defeat in a Fed Cup match since 1994 with a 6-1, 7-5 victory on Saturday. Ranked 130th in the world, the 18-year-old Lisicki recorded 15 aces - and overcame 11 double faults - to end Davenport's 19-match winning streak. Sloppy play did in the Davenport as she committed 43 unforced errors in the 84-minute match. Harkleroad did bring the United States even with a 6-1, 6-3 triumph over Tatjana Malek.

The United States has the most Fed Cup titles (17) and finals appearances (26), but it has not hoisted the trophy since defeating Spain in 2000. Austria is a distant second with seven Fed Cup crowns. Davenport, who last played for the U.S. team in 2005, has been the feel-good story of American tennis during the past five months. The 31-year-old returned to the WTA Tour in September following an 11-month absence to give birth to her first child. Since returning, the former No. 1 has gone 19-2 and captured three titles. Prior to the Fed Cup, Davenport lost in the second round of the Australian Open to Russia's Maria Sharapova, who went on to win the Grand Slam event. Since her debut with the team in 1993, Davenport has a 32-3 record in Fed Cup play, including a perfect 6-0 mark in doubles competition. She has led the team to three titles and five finals.

Photo: Lindsay Davenport serves in her straight sets win over Julia Goerges. (Jonathan Greene/NC Sports)

Fed Cup Rained Out, Rescheduled for Monday

LA JOLLA, California (Ticker) -- Rain has postponed Sunday's Fed Cup quarterfinal match between the United States and Germany. Tied at a win apiece, the best-of-five tie is the only one in the quarterfinal round that has yet to be decided.

When play resumes on Monday afternoon, Lindsay Davenport will be looking to rebound from a surprising loss on Saturday. Germany's Sabine Lisicki handed Davenport her first defeat in a Fed Cup match since 1994 with a 6-1, 7-5 victory. Ranked 130th in the world, the 18-year-old Lisicki recorded 15 aces - and overcame 11 double faults - to end Davenport's 19-match winning streak. Sloppy play did in the Davenport as she committed 43 unforced errors in the one-hour, 24-minute match.

Ashley Harkleroad topped Germany's Tatjana Malek, 6-1, 6-3, to draw the Americans even in the first day of the International Tennis Federation event. In Sunday's scheduled action, Davenport faces Malek, while Harkleroad takes on Lisicki. In the doubles, Davenport and Lisa Raymond are scheduled to face Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Julia Goerges.

US Splits Opening Fed Cup Matches With Germany

LA JOLLA, California (Ticker) -- Germany's Sabine Lisicki handed Lindsay Davenport her first defeat in a Fed Cup match since 1994 with a 6-1, 7-5 victory on Saturday. Ranked 130th in the world, the 18-year-old Lisicki recorded 15 aces - and overcame 11 double faults - to end Davenport's 19-match winning streak.

"Obviously, (I'm) disappointed with the way I went out there and played," Davenport said. "But at the same time, she played very well and (that) had a lot to do with that. I never felt great all day." Sloppy play did in the Davenport as she committed 43 unforced errors in the one-hour, 24-minute match. "It's just a match as any other," Lisicki said. "So I'm going into a match wanting to win. I'm not just going on the court to play. I went on the court and I wanted to win. I didn't want to go and lose. ... I thought well, if I play well, I have my chances."

Ashley Harkleroad topped Germany's Tatjana Malek, 6-1, 6-3, to draw the Americans even in the first round of the International Tennis Federation event. "After she (Davenport) lost, I really just tried to focus on my game," Harkleroad said. "And just going out and enjoying the opportunity to be out there since this is my first Fed Cup.

Fed Cup Begins Today in La Jolla

LA JOLLA (Ticker) - The United States has the most Fed Cup titles, but it has been a while since the country has hoisted the trophy. Led by resurgent Lindsay Davenport, the Americans hope to take their first step toward changing that this weekend when they face Germany in the first round of the International Tennis Federation event.

The Americans are seeking their 18th Fed Cup title and 27th final appearances though the country hasn't claimed victory since defeating Spain in 2000. With seven Fed Cup titles, Australia is distant second to the U.S. Davenport, who last played for the U.S. team in 2005, has been the feel-good story of American tennis during the past five months. The 31-year-old returned to the WTA Tour in September following an 11-month absence to give birth to her first child. Since returning, the former No. 1 has gone 19-2 and captured three titles. In her most recent action, she lost in the second round of the Australian Open to Russia's Maria Sharapova, who went on to win the Grand Slam event. "I am honored to represent my country on the U.S. Fed Cup team once again," said Davenport, upon being named to the team in December. "My Fed Cup appearances have given me some of the best memories of my career and I look forward to La Jolla and helping our team advance to the semifinals." Since her debut with the team in 1993, Davenport has a 31-2 record in Fed Cup play, including a perfect 6-0 mark in doubles competition. She has led the team to three titles, five finals and has not lost a match in Fed Cup competition since 1994.

Teaming with Davenport for the best-of-five tie at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club will be Laura Granville, Ashley Harkleroad and Lisa Raymond. "Lindsay is such a great Fed Cup competitor and her return to tennis last season proved her love for and commitment to the game," U.S. Fed Cup captain Zina Garrison said. "We are thrilled to have her back on the team and it will be exciting to watch her compete for her country once again."

Germany, which hasn't won this event since 1992 and is 4-7 against the U.S., counters with Tatjana Malek, Julia Goerges, Sabine Lisicki and Anna-Lena Groenefeld. On the road in it first-round tie, defending champion Russia is tied with Israel, 1-1. Shahar Peer had given Israel the lead with a 0-6, 6-2, 6-2 triumph over Dinara Safina. However, Russia evened things up when Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova coasted to a 6-0, 6-4 win over Tzipi Obziler. The reverse singles and doubles matches will be played on Sunday in the best-of-five encounter.

Taking advantage of a depleted France squad, China raced out to a 2-0 lead. Na Li opened things in front of the home crowd for China by cruising to a 6-3, 6-1 win over Alize Cornet. Shuai Peng followed with a hard-fought 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 triumph over Virginie Razzano. Razzano, who suffered her first singles loss in Fed Cup, will have to regroup for Sunday when she is set to face Li in a must-win match for France. "I am really disappointed to have lost," Razzano said. "It's never easy to lose when playing for your country. But we still have tomorrow. She played a great match and I did everything that I could and gave my all." France is not fielding its best team this weekend after Amelie Mauresmo and Marion Bartoli opted out of the tie. In the other first-round match this weekend, Spain travels to play Italy - the 2006 champion and runner-up a year ago.

NC Sports will be at the Fed Cup live on Sunday.

Fed Cup Arrives in La Jolla

LA JOLLA, California (Ticker) - The United States has the most Fed Cup titles, but it has been a while since the country has hoisted the trophy. Led by resurgent Lindsay Davenport, the Americans hope to take their first step toward changing that this weekend when they face Germany in the first round of the International Tennis Federation event.

The Americans are seeking their 18th Fed Cup title and 27th final appearances though the country hasn't claimed victory since defeating Spain in 2000. With seven Fed Cup titles, Australia is distant second to the U.S. Davenport, who last played for the U.S. team in 2005, has been the feel-good story of American tennis during the past five months. The 31-year-old returned to the WTA Tour in September following an 11-month absence to give birth to her first child.

Since returning, the former No. 1 has gone 19-2 and captured three titles. In her most recent action, she lost in the second round of the Australian Open to Russia's Maria Sharapova, who went on to win the Grand Slam event. "I am honored to represent my country on the U.S. Fed Cup team once again," said Davenport, upon being named to the team in December. "My Fed Cup appearances have given me some of the best memories of my career and I look forward to La Jolla and helping our team advance to the semifinals." Since her debut with the team in 1993, Davenport has a 31-2 record in Fed Cup play, including a perfect 6-0 mark in doubles competition. She has led the team to three titles, five finals and has not lost a match in Fed Cup competition since 1994.

Teaming with Davenport for the best-of-five tie at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club will be Laura Granville, Ashley Harkeroad and Lisa Raymond. "Lindsay is such a great Fed Cup competitor and her return to tennis last season proved her love for and commitment to the game," U.S. Fed Cup captain Zina Garrison said. "We are thrilled to have her back on the team and it will be exciting to watch her compete for her country once again."

Germany, which hasn't won this event since 1992 and is 4-7 against the U.S., counters with Tatjana Malek, Julia Goerges, Sabine Lisicki and Anna-Lena Groenefeld. The other quartfinal ties this weekend have defending champion Russia visiting Israel, France at China and Spain traveling to play Italy - the 2006 champion and runner-up a year ago. Russia, which has won all three of its Fed Cup titles during the past four years, will face the U.S. in the World Group semifinal in April if both teams win this weekend.

Fed Cup Tickets Still Available

SAN DIEGO - Single-session tickets are now being sold for the 2008 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Quarterfinal between the U.S. and Germany, to be held February 2-3 at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club in La Jolla.

The best-of-five match series begins on February 2 with two singles matches and is followed the next day (February 3) with two reverse singles matches and the doubles match. The winner of the quarterfinal will face either Russia or Israel in the World Group Semifinal.

The USTA and U.S. Fed Cup captain Zina Garrison have announced the U.S. squad will feature three-time Grand Slam singles champion Lindsay Davenport, world No. 4 doubles player Lisa Raymond, Ashley Harkleroad, and Laura Granville.

There are four price levels for the single-session tickets -- $35, $50, $100 and $150. The event is being organized, staged and promoted by the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Tickets can be purchased
by calling Ticketmaster (888) 334-USTA (8782) or online at www.ticketmaster.com .