2006 Fed Cup World Group

The World Group was the highest level of Fed Cup competition in 2006. Eight nations competed in a three-round knockout competition. Russia was the defending champion, but they were upset in the first round by Belgium. The Belgians made the final, but they were defeated in the final by Italy.

Main article: 2006 Fed Cup

Participating Teams

Participating Teams
Austria	Belgium	France	Germany
Italy	Russia	Spain	United States

Draw

	Quarterfinals 22–23 April					Semifinals 15–16 July					Final 16–17 September
	Liège, Belgium (Indoor hard)
	1	Russia	2
		Belgium	3			Ostend, Belgium (Indoor hard)
							Belgium	4
	Ettenheim, Germany (Outdoor clay)					4	United States	1
		Germany	2
	4	United States	3								Charleroi, Belgium (Indoor hard)
												Belgium	2
	Valencia, Spain (Outdoor clay)											Italy	3
	3	Spain	5
		Austria	0			Zaragoza, Spain (Outdoor clay)
						3	Spain	1
	Nancy, France (Indoor clay)						Italy	3
		Italy	4
	2	France	1

First round

Russia vs. Belgium

Russia 2	Country Hall Ethias Liège, Liège, Belgium 22–23 April 2006 Red clay (indoors)		Belgium 3
1 2 3 1 Elena Dementieva Kim Clijsters 6 4 6 3     2 Nadia Petrova Justine Henin-Hardenne 7^7 6^2 4 6 3 6   3 Maria Kirilenko Kim Clijsters 1 6 4 6     4 Elena Dementieva Justine Henin-Hardenne 2 6 0 6     5 Maria Kirilenko / Dinara Safina Kim Clijsters / Justine Henin-Hardenne 7^7 6^4 7 5

[1]

Germany vs. United States

Germany 2	Tennis Center Ettenheim, Ettenheim, Germany 22–23 April 2006 Red clay (outdoors)		United States 3
1 2 3 1 Anna-Lena Grönefeld Jamea Jackson 2 6 6 3 5 7   2 Julia Schruff Jill Craybas 6 4 2 6 5 7   3 Anna-Lena Grönefeld Jill Craybas 6 2 7 5     4 Martina Müller Jamea Jackson 6^2 7^7 2 6     5 Anna-Lena Grönefeld / Jasmin Wöhr Vania King / Shenay Perry 2 6 6 4 6 2

[2]

Spain vs. Austria

Spain 5	Club Español de Tenis, Valencia, Spain 22–23 April 2006 Red clay (outdoors)		Austria 0
1 2 3 1 Lourdes Domínguez Lino Sybille Bammer 7^7 6^5 3 6 6 3   2 Anabel Medina Garrigues Yvonne Meusburger 6 3 7 5     3 Anabel Medina Garrigues Sybille Bammer 6 0 6 3     4 María Sánchez Lorenzo Tamira Paszek 6 4 6^5 7^7 7 5   5 Virginia Ruano Pascual / Lourdes Domínguez Lino Sybille Bammer / Yvonne Meusburger 6 4 6 2

[3]

Italy vs. France

Italy 4	Palais des Sports Jean Weille, Nancy, France 22–23 April 2006 Red clay (outdoors)		France 1
1 2 3 1 Francesca Schiavone Nathalie Dechy 6^5 7^7 6 3 6 3   2 Flavia Pennetta Amélie Mauresmo 1 6 1 6     3 Francesca Schiavone Amélie Mauresmo 4 6 7^7 6^4 6 4   4 Flavia Pennetta Nathalie Dechy 6 4 6 2     5 Mara Santangelo / Roberta Vinci Émilie Loit / Virginie Razzano 6 1 6 4

[4]

Semifinals

Belgium vs. United States

Belgium 4	Sea'rena, Ostend, Belgium 15–16 July Decoturf (indoors)		United States 1
1 2 3 1 Kirsten Flipkens Jill Craybas 5 7 6 2 6 4   2 Kim Clijsters Jamea Jackson 4 6 6 2 6 1   3 Kim Clijsters Vania King 6 0 6 1     4 Kirsten Flipkens Mashona Washington 2 6 3 1     retired 5 Leslie Butkiewicz / Caroline Maes Jill Craybas / Vania King 1 6 2 6

[5]

Spain vs. Italy

Spain 1	Stadium Casablanca, Zaragoza, Spain 15–16 July Decoturf (indoors)		Italy 3
1 2 3 1 Anabel Medina Garrigues Flavia Pennetta 3 6 0 6     2 Lourdes Domínguez Lino Francesca Schiavone 4 6 5 7     3 Anabel Medina Garrigues Francesca Schiavone 6 2 6 2     4 Lourdes Domínguez Lino Flavia Pennetta 2 6 4 6     5 Virginia Ruano Pascual / María Sánchez Lorenzo Romina Oprandi / Mara Santangelo       not played

[6]

Final

Belgium vs. Italy

Belgium 2	Spiroudome, Charleroi, Belgium 16–17 September Decoturf (indoors)		Italy 3
1 2 3 1 Kirsten Flipkens Francesca Schiavone 1 6 3 6     2 Justine Henin-Hardenne Flavia Pennetta 6 4 7 5     3 Justine Henin-Hardenne Francesca Schiavone 6 4 7 5     4 Kirsten Flipkens Mara Santangelo 7^7 6^3 3 6 0 6   5 Kirsten Flipkens / Justine Henin-Hardenne Francesca Schiavone / Roberta Vinci 6 3 2 6 0 2 retired

[7]

2006 Fed Cup Champions
Italy First title

References

1. "Russia v Belgium". fedcup.com.
2. "Germany v United States". fedcup.com.
3. "Spain v Austria". fedcup.com.
4. "Italy v France". fedcup.com.
5. "Belgium v United States". fedcup.com.
6. "Spain v Italy". fedcup.com.
7. "Belgium v Italy". fedcup.com.

See also

• Fed Cup structure