Canada drops first two matches in Fed Cup playoff tie against Slovakia

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – Canada dropped the first two matches in its Fed Cup World Group II playoff tie to Slovakia on Saturday.

Dominika Cibulkova defeated Montreal’s Francoise Abanda 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 and Anna Karolina Schmiedlova topped Aleksandra Wozniak of Blainville, Que., 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to give the host side a 2-0 lead at the Aegon Arena.

“It was a difficult day with two close matches that unfortunately did not go our way,” said Canadian Fed Cup captain Sylvain Bruneau. “I am proud of Francoise and Aleksandra. They gave everything they had and showed a lot of courage, but I have to give a lot of credit to the Slovaks who were both very solid especially in the important moments.”

Canada will need to win all three matches on Sunday to advance. The winner will qualify for World Group II for 2017 while the loser will be relegated to the Zone Group I competition.

“Both matches today were stressful, difficult, and long,” said Slovakia captain Matej Liptak. “Abanda and Wozniak played very well and made our players’ lives very difficult. I am happy with a 2-0 lead, it gives us three chances to win the tie tomorrow.”

After reaching the elite World Group for the first time in 2014, Canada is attempting to qualify for World Group II for the fifth time since the new Fed Cup format was introduced in 2005.

Abanda is scheduled to face Schmiedlova in the opening singles match Sunday while Wozniak is set to meet Cibulkova. In the closing doubles match, Toronto’s Sharon Fichman and Charlotte Robillard-Millette of Blainville, Que., are scheduled to play Jana Cepelova and Cibulkova.

Team captains have until one hour before the match to change their nominations.