Despite Amelie Mauresmo’s absence from the French team, France retains its place in the World Group in next year’s edition of the Federation Cup after trouncing the Czech Republic with three match wins against the Czech’s two match wins thanks to the gallant efforts of Tatiana Golovin and Severine Bremond, who won the crucial doubles rubber against the Czech duo composed of Iveta Benesova and Kveta Peschke.
Czech Nicole Vaidova drew first blood for her country as she beat Frenchwoman Tatiana Golovin in three hard fought sets, 6-1, 3-6, 11-9. France earned its first match victory when Natalie Dechy won her tie against Lucie Safarova, 6-2, 6-3, leveling the score at one win for both countries.
Fresh from her previous day win, Nicole Vaidisova proved yet again her mettle by overpowering Natalie Dechy in one hour and ten minutes, 6-2, 6-3, giving the Czech Republic its second win. With France down at 2-1, Tatiana Golovin seemed hard-pressed to win her tie against Lucie Safarova, and Golovin did it without a sweat. With imposing shots, Golovin tired Safarova by moving her around the court. Golovin won the match 6-2, 6-1, forcing a crucial doubles match.
Emelie Loit was to play in the doubles rubber but a wrist injury prevented her. Tatiana Golovin then teamed with Wimbledon quarterfinalist Severine Bremond in subduing the Czech duo of Iveta Benesova and Kveta Peschke. The Czech duo gave stiff resistance in the second set of the match by forcing a tiebreaker. As the French duo were invincible during the match, they went on to win the doubles rubber and brought France back into the Federation Cup’s World Group, 6-4, 7-6(2).
French team captain Georges Goven has only praises for his players, “I’m really proud of the girls. They showed that in the rare instances when Mauresmo and Pierce are not available for any kind of reason, they were perfectly capable of filling the spots and playing top quality tennis.”
