Erakovic names strong cup team
New Zealand Fed Cup captain Marina Erakovic has named the strongest possible team for next month’s event in Wellington.
A year after retiring as a player, Erakovic has taken over from Sacha Jones as the non playing captain of the New Zealand team and will lead it for the event taking place in the nation’s capital from February 3 to 8.
The team is the same that played in Malaysia last year, although Kelly Southwood joins Paige Hourigan, Valentina Ivanov, Emily Fanning and Erin Routliffe for the event at the Renouf Centre.
There was some doubt as to whether Ivanov would be able to get a release from the University of California in Berkley to be able to represent New Zealand.
Thankfully for Erakovic, she has been given clearance to play.
Working with Erakovic will be Fed Cup coach Christophe Lambert.
‘‘I am very excited about the New Zealand hosted Fed Cup event in Wellington.’’ Erakovic said.
‘‘The team has been announced and we have a very diverse group of girls who I am looking forward to supporting on and off the court.
‘‘It is an honour to represent New Zealand and a rarity to do it at home in tennis.’’
Erakovic is confident the New Zealand team will perform in front of its home fans.
‘‘Fed Cup is all about teamwork and giving that little bit extra for your country. Our team can’t wait to display that on the match court.’’
There will be eight nations in Wellington across two pools of four.
Joining New Zealand in the tournament are Guam, Mongolia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Turkmenistan.
The winners from each pool will play-off to determine which nation is promoted to Asia/ Oceania Group I in 2021.