Germany secures Fed Cup semifinal spot
February 8, 2015Germany's Andrea Petkovic and Angelique Kerber both won Sunday at Stuttgart's Porsche Arena enabling Germany to progress to the semifinals in Russia in April.
Petkovic beat Jarmila Gajodosova 6-3, 3-5, 8-6 in just under two hours to secure Germany a place in the next round against Russia, who defeated Poland in Krakow.
Gajdosoca managed 10 aces throughout the match and broke twice in the decisive set.
“I'm so relieved we managed it,” the world number 12 said following her win.
“I was getting tired toward the end and was only thinking from point to point,” she added.
Earlier on Sunday, Angelique Kerber needed just one hour and 27 minutes to beat Australian number one, and 2011 US Open winner, Samantha Stouser 6-2, 6-4.
"Today I had to beat both myself and Sam," Kerber said.
Germany lost last year’s final to the Czech Republic.
Meanwhile, Venus Williams defeated Argentina's Maria Irigoyen 6-1, 6-4 on Sunday to secure the United States a spot in April's Fed Cup semifinals.
The US has won the Fed Cup tennis trophy 17 times, more than any other country. Their last win was in 2000.
jlw/rc (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)