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U.S. Draws Belgium in Fed Cup 1st Round

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — The USTA announced today that the U.S. Fed Cup team has drawn Belgium as its opponent for the first round of the 2011 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group competition. The ITF, which owns and operates Fed Cup, held the draw for the 2011 Fed Cup competition today at Roland Garros. The second-seeded U.S. team will travel to Belgium for the match.

The U.S. has faced Belgium six times in Fed Cup competition, and is 5-1 overall (4-1 since the home-away format was instituted in 1995). The U.S. won the last meeting between the two countries 5-0 in the 1997 World Group first round tie in Delray Beach, Fla., but lost 4-1 in its only previous trip to Belgium in the 2006 World Group semifinals.

The USTA also announced today that it would name the site for the 2010 Fed Cup Final vs. Italy during the week of June 14. The final, to be held Nov. 6-7, has proven to be one of the most sought-after events in the history of U.S. Fed Cup competition, with 11 cities originally submitting letters of intent to bid for the right to host the event.

“We’re ecstatic at the nationwide support this Fed Cup team has received, as evidenced by a record number of cities seeking to host the final,” said U.S. Fed Cup Captain Mary Joe Fernandez. “I know that whichever city is chosen will provide a raucous fan base and an exciting environment for us to try and capture the Fed Cup title.”

Ten cities are expected to submit bids to host the rematch of last year’s Fed Cup final (won by Italy 4-1 in Reggio Calabria) by the Friday, June 4, deadline, including San Diego; Pacific Palisades, Calif.; Fort Worth, Texas; Jacksonville, Fla.; Portland, Ore.; Cleveland; Island of Hawaii; St. Louis; Surprise, Ariz.; and Dallas. San Antonio also had submitted a letter of intent but later withdrew its name from contention. The U.S. will be looking for its first Fed Cup title since 2000, and the Fed Cup final will be organized, staged and promoted by the USTA.

The Tennis Channel will present live daily coverage of the 2010 Fed Cup Final between the U.S. and Italy.

Posted on June 3, 2010
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