The US Fed Cup Tennis Team overcomes a young but talented German team in quarter final action as newcomer Ashley Harkleroad comes up with two huge wins
Americans advance in Fed Cup Action
The US Fed Cup team entered this weekend’s Fed Cup match against Germany as an overwhelming favorite to advance to the semifinals in April against Russia. It seemed logical that with Lindsey Davenport, former number one player in the world and sporting a 31-2 Fed Cup record that the Americans would dominate. Add to that a top doubles specialist in Lisa Raymond and a very young opponent in the German Fed Cup squad and it would seem you have a recipe for an old fashioned shellacking. Think again.
Rough Start for the Americans
On Saturday the scene at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club in La Jolla, California was idyllic with sunny skies and cool temperatures. Following a coin toss by La Jolla resident and famed sportscaster, Dick Enberg, was the first match of the Fed Cup tie between Lindsey Davenport and Sabine Lisicki, an 18 year old German with big groundstrokes and a huge serve. This match featured Lindsey Davenport's return to Fed Cup following her brief retirement to have a child and she was in trouble from the start. Lisicki jumped to a big lead and 6-1 win in the first set much to the surprise of the seasoned veteran. The second set seemed to take a more familiar tone as Davenport jumped out to a 5-2 lead. At that point the German showed she has promise to become a force on the women’s tour as she fought off numerous set points to break Davenport twice and pull off the improbable upset. Americans were down 1-0.
Unlikely hero emerges
The pro-American crowd was stunned with the Davenport loss and were concerned that American Ashley Harkleroad, a newcomer to Fed Cup was due to play Germany’s highest ranking player, Tatjana Malek. In 55 minutes the relieved crowd witnessed Harkleroad dismantle Malek 6-1, 6-3 in an athletic display of all court consistency and defense. The punishment was so devastating that Malek broke down and cried in the arms of her coach.
Rain Delayed Final Day
After suffering a rainout on Sunday the two teams were back at it on Monday with Davenport first up against Germany’s Julia Georges. This time Davenport was firing on all cylinders and easily dismissed Georges 6-1, 6-2. The second match of the day featured Harkleroad against Sabine Lisicki, Davenport’s day one conqueror. Harkleroad mixed both pace and finesse against the powerful German and took the first set 6-4. In the second set both players showed a display of nerves and traded service breaks but none more important than Harkleroad’s break of Lisicki’s serve at 5-5. Finally up 6-5 Harkleroad was able to fight off her nerves and finished off her opponent with a 50 MPH service winner as Lisicki netted the return. The crowd erupted and the US team jumped out to embrace the unlikely hero. In a moment Harkleroad was jogging around the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club courts waving an American flag to the delight of the partisan crowd. The meaningless doubles match was won by Americans Lindsey Davenport and Lisa Raymond 6-2,6-0 over Tatjana Malek and Anna-Lena Groenefeld for an overall 4-1 US win.
