USA leads Germany 2-0 after the first day of this Fed Cup by BNP Paribas
World Group first round tie in Ettenheim. Jamea Jackson defeated Germany’s
No. 1 Anna-Lena Groenefeld 62 36 75, before Jill Craybas defeated Julia
Schruff 46 62 75.
It could so easily have been 2-0 to the hosts, after Groenefeld served for
the first rubber, and Schruff held a match point against Craybas.
“I figured a 1-1 after the first day. So I am happy. But tomorrow is a new
day,” Zina Garrison, the US captain said.
Craybas survived match point
In a dramatic second rubber, Craybas had to face a match point at 4-5 in the
third set. It was a fantastic rally and Craybas was slightly fortunate to
hit the line. At 6-5 she had match point herself, converted it and after two
hours and five minutes the match was over.
“We both played great although I was struggling with my serve during the
whole match. But I was able to come through,” Craybas said. In fact it was a
strange third set with eight service losses.
“I played very good. I gave it all. When I had match point I should have
made it. My lob had to be in,” Schruff said.
Schruff also explained the reason for the injury time-out she took at the
beginning of the third set: “I had cramps in both legs, especially in the
left,” Schruff said.
She is scheduled to play Jackson tomorrow but if she does not recover well
enough, Martina Muller will play for Germany instead.
Surprising loss for Groenefeld against Jackson
In the opening match, Groenefeld surprisingly lost to Jackson, the No. 2 US
player, ranked 75 in the world.
Jackson wrapped up the first set 62 in 31 minutes, in windy conditions that
made it tricky for both players. Groenefeld hit back to take the second set 63,
and then broke Jackson’s serve in the third set to take a 5-4 lead and serve
for the match. But Jackson broke her back, held serve herself, and after two
minutes short of two hours, Jackson converted her second matchpoint on
Groenefeld’s serve for a 62 36 75 victory. Jackson was clearly delighted at
taking a vital point for the visitors, and ran to her team box and waved to
the American fans who had supported her during the match.
“I had a lot of confidence in my game. I played really well,” said the
19-year-old Jackson, who was making her Fed Cup by BNP Paribas debut. She said
that she had recently played a lot of good matches against Top 30 and Top 10
players. In fact, today’s win over Groenefeld, No. 14 in the world, is her
best result to date.
“It was my first Fed Cup match. I wanted to represent my country as good as
possible,” said Jackson.
For Groenefeld ist was a tough loss. She lost her serve seven times during the
match, double-faulting seven times.
Groenefeld tried to break Jacksons rhythm with moon balls.
“I talked with my coach about this tactic. Jackson likes flat balls, so I
tried this strategy.”
But it was not enough to beat the US No. 2 player.
“I didn’t play my best tennis. I was not able to play my game today,”
Groenefeld said.
“I was very nervous. It started during the ceremony. It is a new situation
for me to be the leading player, especially since we played at home. I have
to learn to deal with that. But for this time I felt a lot of pressure. I was
tight during the whole match,” Groenefeld said.
Rittner disappointed in Groenefeld
Barbara Rittner, Germany’s captain said: “She played just 30 percent of her
potential.”
Tomorrow Germnay will try to overturn a 0-2 deficit for the first time in Fed
Cup. Groenefeld will play Craybas, while Schruff faces Jamea Jackson. The
matches start at 11:00 hrs local time (09:00 GMT), and live scoring will
again be available here on Fedcup.com.
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