TENNIS in DEPTH.

Ana will take centre stage as Serbia faces Spain in a winner-takes-all clash in Lleida at the weekend. Whoever triumphs in the World Group Play-Off tie will advance to the premier division of next season’s competition and will have a chance to win the trophy. The loser will remain in World Group II.

Spain won the coin toss to determine home advantage and, unsurprisingly, they have chosen clay courts in Lleida, close to Barcelona. Although the stadium only holds 1,800 spectators, the home supporters are sure to create an intense atmosphere.

“Playing away in the Fed Cup is a new experience for me,” said Ana.

“We have had those quite intense qualifying competitions in Bulgaria and Hungary in the last few years, but this is a new situation: a best-of-five rubber tie. It’s going to be very tough, playing the Spanish in their country on their favourite surface.

The event will be Ana’s first clay court outing of the season, following the month-long swing of hard court tournaments in North America. “I feel like I’ve made a good transition to clay,” revealed Ana.

“It’s always one of the most difficult times of the season because clay court tennis requires a different type of movement. I enjoy the challenges it presents and I have been working hard on the specific training exercises that are relevant to clay.”

Ana will be accompanied by Serbian No.1 Jelena Jankovic. The pair completed a flawless 3-0 victory over Japan in Belgrade in February (4-1 when dead rubbers are taken into account) and Ana herself is on a seven-match winning streak in the Fed Cup. She boasts an impressive 12-2 win-loss record overall.

“I am confident that Jelena and I can win this tie,” she said. “We both have had good results on clay and we’re very motivated to take Serbia into the main World Group for the first time.”

Anabel Medina Garrigues, the world No.18, is the Spanish No.1 and she is joned by top-100 ranked players Maria-Jose Martinez Sanchez, Lourdes Diminguez-Lino and Nuria Llagostera Vives.

Ana said: “They are a very experienced team and I remember I had an extremely tough match against Garrigues at the French Open two years ago. It was very long and I had to be patient because she doesn’t make many mistakes. I’m looking forward to a similar challenge next weekend.”

The draw for the tie will take place on Friday and will decide who plays the first rubber. Barring any injuries Ana will face Garrigues on Saturday, with Jankovic likely to take on Martinez Sanchez. The reverse singles will be held on Sunday, followed by the doubles rubber.

Ana Jovanovic and 15-year-old Aleksandra Krunic complete the Serbian team, who are captained by Dejan Vranes.

Bookmark It