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CHIZHOVKA ARENA IN MINSK TO HOST U.S. VS. BELARUS FED CUP FINAL IN NOVEMBER
USTA – WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (June 22, 2017) – Belarus will host the United States on an indoor hard court at Chizkovka Arena in Minsk, Belarus, in the 2017 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Final, Nov. 11-12. Chizhovka Arena hosted Belarus’ two other home ties earlier this year. The U.S. Fed Cup team made its last appearance in the Final in 2010, when a team featuring CoCo Vandeweghe and Bethanie Mattek-Sands lost to Italy, 3-1, in San Diego. The U.S. won the last of its record 17 Fed Cup titles in 2000. Belarus will be competing in its first-ever Fed Cup Final. U.S. Captain Kathy Rinaldi, who is in her first year as captain, follows Mary Joe Fernandez to make it back-to-back U.S. captains to reach the Fed Cup Final in their debut year. Earlier this year, the United States swept Germany, 4-0, in the World Group First Round in Maui, Hawaii, then posted a 3-2 semifinal win in April over defending champion Czech Republic in a fifth-and-decisive doubles rubber in Tampa Bay, Fla. Belarus defeated the Netherlands, 4-1, in the World Group First Round, then defeated Switzerland, 3-2, in the semifinals. The United States holds a 1-0 record over Belarus in Fed Cup competition. The U.S. swept Belarus, 5-0, in the World Group II First Round in February 2012 in Worcester, Mass. The U.S. team for that tie was comprised of Serena and Venus Williams. New world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka was named to the Belarus team for that tie but had to withdraw due to a lower back injury after winning the Australian Open a week prior. Fed Cup by BNP Paribas is the largest annual international team competition in women’s sport, with approximately 100 nations taking part each year. The U.S. holds an overall 148-36 record in Fed Cup competition, with a 108-30 record in away and neutral ties.
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