After a stirring and improbable Alexa Glatch-led victory in Brno, now it’s up to the Williams sisters to decide if they want to be part of the U.S.’ attempt at its first Fed Cup title since ‘00.
In a remarkable debut by Glatch, who fol
lowed up her crushing of Iveta Benasova with an equally impressive 6-2, 6-1 dismissal of Petra Kvitova in just 65 minutes, the U.S. tipped the tables on the Czech Republic in the doubles, when Liezel Huber and Bethanie Mattek-Sands came back from a 6-2, 5-2 and a match-point-down deficit to stun Benesova and Kveta Peschke, giving the Americans a 3-2 victory.
After Mattek had imploded for the second time in singles during the weekend, falling easily 6-3, 6-1 to substitute Lucie Safarova, she finally regained her form late in the second set against the Czechs, who had the match completely under control and would have won had the zoning Peshke converted a second serve return. But the veteran Czech missed, and from there, Huber and Mattek grew more at ease in closing on the net and they took it right to the shaky home team, losing only two games the rest of the way.
Credit new captain Mary Joe Fernandez for part of the victory, and also Huber, who kept a steady hand on Mattek’s back throughout the contest. “It’s so emotional. There were so many ups and downs,” Fernandez said. “They showed a lot of heart and courage and that’s what working together as a team is all about.”
It was not only Glatch’s debut on the team, but also Mattek’s and she looked extremely nervous as the U.S.’ top singles player, but in doubles, Huber kept barking out the signals and Mattek finally responded, returning wonderfully during the last set and a half. For Huber, a nationalized South African, it was a dream come true. “I think I can retire now,” she said. “With the Olympics and reaching the Fed Cup final — wow!”
But it was Glatch, once Americas’ top prospect (before a misfortunate scooter accident and dog attack) who played the hero. The Southern Californian broke her right wrist and left elbow, an accident that nearly ruined her career. She nearly quit in ‘07 to go to college.
But the 19-year-old kept plugging, and this year showed the strength and athleticism that once made her a player to watch. “I was a little surprised I was picked,” Glatch said. “I know Melanie [Oudin] had played really well against Argentina. I was really excited. Going into both matches, I was nervous, but luckily it didn’t show in my face. Having Mary Joe on the sidelines really helped, as she was able to calm me down. I had a game plan and was able to execute. Plus, I like the pressure situations and they bring the best out of me. I knew I could do it and I was able to step up.”
Glatch was totally dominant against the Czechs, with her serve, groundstrokes and with her head firmly in the match. “She’s the MVP for sure,” Fernandez said. “She worked really hard and kept composed and listened to everything I said. She has a really bright future.”
Fernandez said after the victory that if they were willing, she’d select the Williams sisters to play the final against Italy, which put down defending champion Russia 3-1 behind Francesca Schiavone, who ruined talented Russian teen Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova’s debut in a 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 victory to clinch the tie.
Serena has shown no interest in Fed Cup during the past few years, and Venus hasn’t competed since the U.S. choked its semi against Russia in Vermont in July ‘07.
Whether the sisters will compete just after the regular season has concluded Nov. 7-8 is highly debatable, especially knowing that the tie will be played on red clay. Venus said that she and Serena would consider it, but haven’t fully committed. “You go with the best team and they are the best in the world. I’m calling them right now,” Fernandez said.
