News & Events in Belarus

MINSK, 12 February (BelTA) – Belarus lost 2-3 to Germany in the 2018 Fed Cup World group quarterfinal which took place at Chizhovka Arena on 10-11 February, BelTA has learned.

The doubles rubber on Sunday was a decider, in which Aryna Sabalenka and Lidziya Marozava lost a close battle 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 4-6. The game lasted for two hours 30 minutes.

The doubles rubber was preceded by four singles rubbers. In the first encounter Aryna Sabalenka fought back to beat Tatjana Maria 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Later Aliaksandra Sasnovich fell to Antonia Lottner 5-7, 4-6. On Sunday, Tatjana Maria saw off Vera Lapko, who replaced Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-4, 5-7, 6-0, and Aryna Sabalenka outplayed Antonia Lottner 6-3, 5-7, 6-2.

Germany will next play the Czech Republic who beat Switzerland 3-1 in Prague.

Elsewhere, France beat Belgium 3-2 to book a semifinal berth against the United States that defeated the Netherlands.

The Fed Cup World Group semifinals are scheduled for 21-22 April, with the finals slated for 10-11 November. Last year Belarus played in the Fed Cup World Group final for the first time.