ID :
173554
Wed, 04/06/2011 - 14:23
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/173554
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Sam Stosur pulls out of Fed Cup squad
SYDNEY (AAP) April 6 - Australia's hopes of regaining a place in the Fed Cup World Group suffered a setback with world No.5 Sam Stosur pulling out of this month's tie with Ukraine to focus on the French Open.
Stosur's claycourt season starts on Thursday in the second round of the Family Circle Cup in South Carolina as she gears up for Roland Garros, where she was runner-up last year.
In her absence, Fed Cup captain David Taylor - who is also Stosur's coach - has picked Jarmila Groth, Jelena Dokic, Anastasia Rodionova and Sophie Ferguson for the tie on April 16 and 17 in Melbourne.
"I love representing Australia and it has been difficult to prioritise my immediate schedule," Stosur said.
"But it is extremely important to me to focus on the clay-court season and get the best possible preparation for the French Open.
"I am confident though that we will still field a very strong team for this tie given the depth of talent we are developing in women's tennis in Australia."
Stosur has had a disappointing start to the year, with only one quarter-final appearance - in Dubai - from seven tournaments.
Even without her the Australians, led by world No.29 Groth, will be confident of returning to the World Group.
The two nations met at the same point last year and Stosur, Rodionova, Alicia Molik and Rennae Stubbs cruised to a 5-0 victory.
The match will be held at Glen Iris Valley Recreation Club in Mount Waverley, the first time Australia have hosted a Fed Cup tie on clay.
"We are obviously disappointed that our number one player Sam will not be coming home for this tie," Taylor said.
"But we respect her decision and I have faith in the other girls to get us back to the elite eight.
"Jarmila, Jelena and Anastasia are all in the top 100 players and Sophie also has the potential to also break into the top 100 women with a few strong performances."
Dokic has had a strong start to 2011, beating French Open champion Francesca Schiavone on her way to winning a WTA title in Kuala Lumpur, her first since 2002.
She also reached the quarter-finals in Paris, where she lost to Kim Clijsters, and has an excellent 13-3 Fed Cup win-loss record.
Groth has also had an encouraging season thus far, winning the WTA event in Hobart in January and losing in the semi-finals in Kuala Lumpur.
Ferguson, whose favourite surface is clay, returns to the side for the first time since 2005.
Stosur's claycourt season starts on Thursday in the second round of the Family Circle Cup in South Carolina as she gears up for Roland Garros, where she was runner-up last year.
In her absence, Fed Cup captain David Taylor - who is also Stosur's coach - has picked Jarmila Groth, Jelena Dokic, Anastasia Rodionova and Sophie Ferguson for the tie on April 16 and 17 in Melbourne.
"I love representing Australia and it has been difficult to prioritise my immediate schedule," Stosur said.
"But it is extremely important to me to focus on the clay-court season and get the best possible preparation for the French Open.
"I am confident though that we will still field a very strong team for this tie given the depth of talent we are developing in women's tennis in Australia."
Stosur has had a disappointing start to the year, with only one quarter-final appearance - in Dubai - from seven tournaments.
Even without her the Australians, led by world No.29 Groth, will be confident of returning to the World Group.
The two nations met at the same point last year and Stosur, Rodionova, Alicia Molik and Rennae Stubbs cruised to a 5-0 victory.
The match will be held at Glen Iris Valley Recreation Club in Mount Waverley, the first time Australia have hosted a Fed Cup tie on clay.
"We are obviously disappointed that our number one player Sam will not be coming home for this tie," Taylor said.
"But we respect her decision and I have faith in the other girls to get us back to the elite eight.
"Jarmila, Jelena and Anastasia are all in the top 100 players and Sophie also has the potential to also break into the top 100 women with a few strong performances."
Dokic has had a strong start to 2011, beating French Open champion Francesca Schiavone on her way to winning a WTA title in Kuala Lumpur, her first since 2002.
She also reached the quarter-finals in Paris, where she lost to Kim Clijsters, and has an excellent 13-3 Fed Cup win-loss record.
Groth has also had an encouraging season thus far, winning the WTA event in Hobart in January and losing in the semi-finals in Kuala Lumpur.
Ferguson, whose favourite surface is clay, returns to the side for the first time since 2005.
