Stephens to Lead U.S. in Fed Cup Playoff Against France

April 9, 2014 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal

The USTA and U.S. Fed Cup Captain Mary Joe Fernandez have announced that world number 18 and 2013 Australian Open semifinalist Sloane Stephens, world number 42 Madison Keys, world number 49 Varvara Lepchenko and world number 57 Christina McHale will represent the U.S. in the 2014 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Playoff against France. The best-of-five match series will be played at Chaifetz Arena on the campus of Saint Louis University, April 19-20. The winner will advance to the 2015 World Group and have a chance to compete for the Fed Cup title next year. The loser will be relegated to World Group II.

French Captain Amelie Mauresmo announced that France’s team will consist of world number 22 Alize Cornet, number 74 Caroline Garcia, number 76 Virginie Razzano and number 87 Kristina Mladenovic. 

“We have a great combination of experience and talent competing in this Fed Cup tie against France,” said Fernandez. “We are excited to be led by Sloane, a strong Top 20 competitor, as well as promising young players in Madison and Christina, who have both performed well this year and have Fed Cup experience. Varvara always comes up big in Fed Cup as well and loves competing for her country. I have full confidence in this team to play great tennis in front of a patriotic crowd in St. Louis and keep the U.S. in contention for the Fed Cup title in 2015.”

Missouri is hosting Fed Cup for the second time. The state previously hosted the 2002 World Group Playoff in Springfield at the Cooper Tennis Complex, where the U.S. swept Israel, 5-0. Dwight Davis, who in 1900 founded Davis Cup, the men’s equivalent to Fed Cup, was born in St. Louis in 1879. The U.S. is 37-5 all-time in Fed Cup ties played at home and holds an overall 143-34 record. The U.S. leads all nations with 17 Fed Cup titles, the last coming in 2000. 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Centercourt
USTA NTC

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