Daniela Hantuchová, Dominika Cibulková, Magdalena Rybáriková and Jana Čepelová are the four tennis players chosen by coach Matej Lipták to compete in the next Federation Cup quarter-final against the Czech Republic on 5 and 6 February. The matches will be played at the NTC Sibamac Arena in Bratislava.
For his part, Czech team coach Petr Pála already summoned his team on Tuesday, comprising Petra Kvitová, Lucie Šafářová, Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová and Květa Peschkeová. Surprisingly, Pala did not select Iveta Benešova, who was eliminated in the second round of the Australian Open in Melbourne.
On Saturday the two singles matches will be played, starting from 2 pm, while on Sunday the remaining singles and doubles matches will be played from 12 noon. The hall will be packed (4,100 spectators) as all tickets have been sold out. The draw for the meetings is scheduled for Friday, 4 February at 11:00 am.
Despite having a record of 3 to 0 defeats, Slovakia will seek to use the home advantage to make it through to the next round. The winners will go through to play either Belgium or the united States on 16 – 17 April.
SLOVAKIA
Daniela Hantuchová (WTA seeded 31st , 91st in doubles), Dominika Cibulková (32nd/116th), Magdalena Rybáriková (106th/81st), Jana Čepelová (489th /703rd), coach: Matej Lipták
CZECH REPUBLIC:
Petra Kvitová (WTA seeed 28th, 338th in doubles), Lucie Šafářová(35th/152nd), Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová (63rd/19th) Květa Peschkeová (- /5th), coach : Petr Pála
By Lorenzo DiCicco, Lavoce.sk