The Slovak FedCup team lost 2-3 in a thrilling World Group playoff clash with Serbia on a clay surface at the National Tennis Centre in Bratislava on Sunday, April 17, the TASR newswire reported.
After Serbia's Ana Ivanovic retired from the match against Dominika Cibulková early afternoon, Slovakia was only one match away from securing a spot in the World Group next year. However, Daniela Hantuchová was subsequently overpowered by Jelena Jankovic in a dramatic three-set match.
The victory for the Slovaks seemed to be a certainty in the doubles at one point when Hantuchová/Rybáriková were ahead at 6:2 and 5:1, having two separate match points at their disposal. They wasted both, however, and Jankovic/Krunic returned to the match, which they eventually won at 9:7 in the third set.
Results: Dominika Cibulková - Bojana Jovanovski 4:6, 6:3, 6:1, Daniela Hantuchová - Ana Ivanovic 2:6, 4:6, Cibulková - Ivanovic 6:4, 3:3 – retired, Hantuchová - Jelena Jankovic 2:6, 6:3, 5:7 Hantuchová, Magdalena Rybáriková - Jankovic, Aleksandra Krunic 6:2, 5:7, 7:9
Source: TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
