THE CANADIAN PRESS
MONTREAL — Canada’s Fed Cup tennis team swept Argentina 5-0 Sunday to capture a berth in World Group II for the first time since 2007.
Sharon Fichman of Toronto, Marie-Eve Pelletier of Repentigny, Que., Valerie Tetreault of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., and Aleksandra Wozniak of Blainville, Que., powered past an outmatched Argentinean squad dropping only one set in the five matches.
Wozniak, Canada’s No. 1 singles player, earned the third and deciding point for her team with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Jorgelina Cravero on Sunday. Despite having some trouble with her service games, Wozniak battled to the end, eliciting cheers from the home crowd at Uniprix Stadium.
"I had a little drop in energy in the second set and I really had to dig to finish the match off in two sets," Wozniak said. "I’m so happy and relieved at the same that it is over and we were able to get into World Group II after missing so many opportunities in the past years."
Tetreault went undefeated in her Fed Cup debut capturing her second career win over Paula Ormaechea 6-7(3), 6-1, 6-1 in the fourth match.
"(Ormaechea) had nothing to lose," said Tetreault. "She played good tennis and she was dominating. But after the first set I started serving better and I moved into the balls more to take time away from her.
"It’s a good feeling to be part of Canada’s win. Having actually played for the first time I felt more involved and it was a real pleasure to play in Montreal in front of a wonderful crowd."
Fichman and Pelletier capped the perfect weekend with a 6-4, 6-2 doubles victory over Cravero and Aranza Salut.
"When I selected the team three weeks ago, I told everyone what their roles were," said Canada’s captain Sylvain Bruneau. "That took away any rivalries between the players and they were able to work together more as a team. The ultimate goal is to be in the World Group and play high-level teams. The competition will be stronger but we now have 10 months to prepare."
Only eight countries entered in Fed Cup competition qualify for the elite World Group with the next eight qualifying for World Group II. Joining Canada in World Group II for 2011 will be Estonia, Germany, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Ukraine and the winner between Sweden versus China.
First-round match-ups for next year will be drawn on June 2.