07.02.2020; Biel; TENNIS – Tennis Fed Cup – Schweiz – Kanada; Leylah Annie Fernandez (CAN) ;
It was on Tuesday in London that the International Tennis Federation (ITF) held the official draw for the 2020 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas play-offs. The Canadian team was drawn against Serbia, who will host the tie on April 17 and 18, 2020. The choice of surface, the venue as well as the players nominated for each team will be announced at a later date.
Up against a top form Swiss team last week in Biel, Canada fell by a score of 3-1 in the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Qualifiers, thus falling short of a spot in the inaugural Fed Cup Finals in April. The Canadian team composed of Bianca Andreescu, Eugenie Bouchard, Leylah Annie Fernandez and Gabriela Dabrowksi were considered the underdogs, as both Andreescu an Bouchard were unable to compete due to injury, leaving 17-year-old Fernandez as the No. 1 player. In only her second career Fed Cup tie, Fernandez managed to cause the upset against the no. 5 player in the world Belinda Bencic to notch her team’s only point in the tie. Despite the tough challenge in Switzerland, the Canadian team gave it their best effort until the very end.
Canada is now set to face Serbia, who emerged as one of the winners from the Europe/Africa Zonal Group. This will be the third meeting between the two nations, with their head-to-head tied at one win each. Canada was victorious in their last encounter by a score of 3-1 in the World Group II first round in 2014. Their only other meeting came in 2011 when Serbia edged out a 3-2 win in the World Group II first round tie, clinching victory in the decisive doubles match. Canada is currently ranked no. 16, while Serbia is no. 19. The winner of this tie will secure their place for the Fed Cup Qualifiers in 2021 while the losing nation will be relegated to their respective regional Group I.
FED CUP PLAY-OFFS
April 17-18, 2020
Poland* vs. BRAZIL
Mexico* vs. GREAT BRITAIN
Serbia vs. CANADA
LATVIA vs. Asia/Oceania nation TBC
JAPAN* vs. Ukraine
ROMANIA* vs. Italy
Argentina* vs. KAZAKHSTAN
NETHERLANDS vs. Asia/Oceania nation TBC
The host nations are listed first, the seeded nations are in capitals.
* Host country determined by lot.
