The first match of the confrontation between Romania and Switzerland will be between Simona Halep (1st WTA) and Viktorija Golubic (115th WTA), according to the draw on Friday, in Cluj-Napoca.
On Saturday, as of 13:00h: Simona Halep vs. Viktorija Golubic, followed by Irina Begu vs. Timea Bacsinszky
On Sunday, as of 12:00h: Simona Halep vs. Timea Bacsinszky, Irina Begu vs. Viktorija Golubic, followed by the doubles match: Irina Begu/Simona Halep vs. Patty Schnyder/Jil Teichmann.
Fed Cup non-playing captain, Florin Segarceanu, says he is in a good situation with a good team of tennis players, ahead of the match against Switzerland, counting for the World Group I play-off.
“We have a very good team. It’s not hard for me to choose who will play. The most important issue is that everybody is fully fit and to win,” Segarceanu said on Wednesday.
He added that the chances are good, as the main Swiss player, Belinda Bencic, will not be present. “I am a bit surprised that Patty Schnyder (39 years old) will play, but most probably she was selected due to her experience. Otherwise, there are no surprises,” Segarceanu said.
Romania’s player no.1, Simona Halep, said “we have the best generation” in the history of our tennis.
In turn, Sorana Cirstea said she is ready to have her contribution to qualify Romania to the elite group. “I don’t have preferences. I know all their players, I played against all of them and I am ready, regardless of the adversary. If I am selected to play, I will be ready,” Cirstea said.
Irina Begu knows she is currently no. 3 in the team, but she is ready to play at her best if she is selected.
Romania vs. Switzerland, counting for the World Group play-off, will be played on April 21-22, 2018 at the Polyvalent Hall in Cluj-Napoca.
The encounter is to be played as the best in five matches. The first two matches will be played on Saturday, April 21, and the last three matches on Sunday, April 22. The winning team will play in the Fed Cup World Group by BPN Paribas.
In the second round of World Group II, on February 10-11, Romania defeated Canada 3-1, whereas Switzerland was defeated by the Czech Republic 3-1.
Romania’s team: Simona Halep (1st WTA), Sorana Cirstea (34th WTA), Irina Begu (38th WTA) and Mihaela Buzarnescu (40th WTA).
Switzerland’s team: Timea Bacsinsky (46th WTA), Viktoria Golubic (115th WTA), Jil Teichmann (135th WTA) and Patty Schnyder (149th WTA).
photo 1: frt.ro