Glatch in Indian Wells

Glatch’s wide serve was very effective and would continue to be effective on clay.  Her win was closer than the score indicated as the match turned on unusual points in each set such as Glatch’s overhead drop shot at 30 all 2-1 to get a break point that was converted.  The ball went off the top of her racquet with backspin landing just over the net.

While Glatch won 72% of her first serve points, Glatch also had a low 33% 2nd serve win ratio in her 6-3 first set.  In addition both Glatch and her opponent had negative winner/error ratios -5 for Glatch vs. -11.  Suprisingly Glatch won 71% of the points when receiving a first serve and 43% of the points when receiving a second serve.

Glatch for the match ended with 14 winner and 14 unforced errors, but her  opponents 6 winners to 29 unforced errors does not offer Mary Joe Fernandez a good look at how Glatch would match up against the consistent Italian players.

After the US Fed Cup captain reviews the Italian squad, she will choose the players that can bring the cup home to America.  She could bring Jill Craybas for her fitness, the Williams sisters for their power and consistency, Melanie Oudin for her ability to grind out a win, Alexa Glatch, Bethanie Mattek-Sands or possibly a new face that may surface during the clay court season.  Regardless of the final team, Ditty, Huber, Craybas, Oudin, Mattek-Sands & Glatch will all be members of this winning team.

A final option to present to Mary Joe Fernandez is to leave the developing players at home for the final in Italy and bring all the players that have played a live match…

Liezel Huber, 32

Alexa Glatch, 19

Oudin, 17

Bethanie Mattek-Sands, 24

USTA Fed Cup Link with detailed information on each U.S. Fed Cup Players.

The Czech Team:

The talented US players will take on the Czech team that was announced by captain, Petr Pala:

Iveta Benesova, ranked No. 25
Petra Kvitova, ranked No. 45
Lucie Safarova, ranked No. 49
and veteran doubles specialist Kveta Peschke

The matches will be played on indoor carpet at Rondo Arena in Brno on April 25-26, 2009.

This is the same line-up that beat Spain 4-1 in the quarterfinals in February.  This is the Czechs’ first semifinal since 1997.

U.S. Fed Cup teams have a 2-0 record against the Czech Republic and the U.S. has won 17 Fed Cup titles with the last title won in 2000.

TV Coverage:

The battle begins on Saturday, April 25 with two singles matches and is followed by two reverse singles matches and the doubles match on Sunday, April 26.

Tennis Channel will present daily coverage beginning at 4:30 a.m. PST on Saturday and 3 a.m. PST on Sunday.